Talent Calendar

©TM/Olympiacos Piraeus

If Charalampos Kostoulas were to choose a new club, he would be spoiled for choice: many big clubs from all over Europe have followed the talents of Olympiakos Piraeus, the Greek online portal « Sport24 » recently named FC Bayern, Man United, Juventus; , Florence and Gladbach. The English newspapers added two other heavyweights, Real Madrid and West Ham, and immediately put a high price on them: 20 million euros! But what exactly makes the 17-year-old special?

(Site notre blog d’information) is in Kostoulas’ blood. Father Athanasios played more than 300 matches in the Greek top flight, won half a dozen league titles with Olympiakos and played two international matches – he made his debut in late March 2001 during the World Cup qualifiers against Germany (2:4). While his eldest son Konstantinos (19), currently on loan from Piraeus to Rio Ave FC in Portugal, has followed in his (Site notre bureau spécialisé)steps in central defense, his younger son Charalampos swirls in attack.

The Kostoulas brothers started playing (Site notre bureau spécialisé) at AS Agia Anna and were soon noticed by big clubs, notably Charalampos. At a tournament in Düsseldorf, the 12-year-old was able to demonstrate his skills at PAOK Thessaloniki, which he did brilliantly with ten goals. Their arch-rivals Olympiakos got wind of the impending signing and did not want to leave the sons of former player Kostoulas to their arch-rivals. The record champions successfully intervened at the last minute.

Like their father, the Kostoulas brothers found their way to Piraeus, where Charalampos led the youth teams from success to success with his goals. After helping the U15s win the league title in the 2021/22 season, he signed his first professional contract in September. A few months later, in January 2023, at the age of 15 years, seven months and 25 days, he made his debut in professional (Site notre bureau spécialisé) for Olympiakos B in the 2nd league against PASA Irodotos (4-0). With the U19s, Kostoulas became champions in 2023 and 2024, and he also won the Youth League with the team last season – he scored five times in eight matches.

Kostoulas wants to take advantage of the opportunity at Olympiakos

Kostoulas has long been an integral part of the reserves, for whom he contributed three goals and assists in 22 matches. For the 2024/25 season, coach José Luis Mendilibar included him in the first division team and he made his debut in the starting lineup at the start of the season. On matchday eleven, at the age of 17 years, five months and eleven days, Kostoulas became the youngest league scorer in Olympiacos history with his first goal against PAOK (3:2) . His market value increased from €2.4 million to €3 million in the latest Super League 1 update.

“Its great strength lies in its flexibility,” describes TM data manager and market value administrator “To-Piratiko”. The 1.85 meter center forward can also act as a hanging striker, as a number 10 or on the wings. He is doing excellently in his first season, says Nikos Sofis, regional manager Greece at (Site notre blog d’information). Kostoulas impressed with « his strength, his technical skills, the way he uses his body to secure the ball, his work for the team and his finishing in the penalty area. » He is a fast and dynamic player. But he still needs to work on the precision of his actions.

Despite the media attention and great interest across Europe, Sofis describes Kostoulas as down-to-earth and focused. Local media also report that the talented striker is taking the opportunity offered to him by Spanish coach Mendilibar very seriously, despite competitors like Roman Yaremchuk (29) and Gelson Martins (29). Olympiakos would like to offer top talent a new contract when he comes of age, the current contract runs until 2026. However, if no agreement is reached, next summer would be the last chance to secure a fee reasonable transfer rates – probably lower than the 20 speculated. million euros.

Every day from December 1st to 24th, (Site notre blog d’information) will present a talent from the 2007 or 2008 vintage from a different country. Sponsors, data researchers and users act as experts and report interesting facts about 24 young players from our talent calendar that you should watch closely in the future. For example with the MT Watchlist.