Welcome, Odysseas!

His name is Odysseas Vlachodimos, he is 24 years old (26.04.1994) and he is a new signing from Benfica for 2018/19. A former Panathinaikos player, the goalkeeper signed a five-year contract. With an eagle on his chest, he will answer by his first name.

"I chose to have Odysseas stamped on the shirt and not Vlachodimos because it is an easier name to pronounce", said, exclusively, the new face of Benfica, he who was considered the best goalkeeper of the last edition of the Greek league.

"I feel very good. I am very happy to be here. Benfica is a very big club, with great supporters, a nice stadium and that, in the most recent years, has been in the Champions League. It is a fantastic club", said the goal stopper with dual citizenship (German and Greek), born in Stuttgart.

"I spoke with Kostas [Mitroglou] and he told me that Benfica is a fantastic club and that I will like it here", revealed the goalkeeper who made the medical at Hospital da Luz.

After being a member of the German national team that won the last Under-21 European Championships, he was a starter at the Greeks of Panathinaikos, where he spent two and a half seasons (2015/16-2017/18) filled with good performances. After three matches in the Bundesliga for Stuttgart, the club he graduated from, he moved in January 2016 to the Greek club.

In the following season, he established himself in the starting XI (31 matches). The same happened last season, in which he played 29 matches, four in the Europa League, in a total of 2610 minutes. Performances that earned him the award of the best goalkeeper of the Greek League.

"I always try to give everything I got on the pitch. For me the help of my teammates, the coach and the club was important to win this award", mentioned the goalkeeper who is 1,91m tall.

Odysseas becomes the third German goalkeeper to represent Benfica after Robert Enke and Hans-Jörg Butt.

"Here, I will try to give my best for the team and for the Club. I hope for the best", said the brother of Panagiotis Vlachodimos, the midfielder the currently plays at Nimes.

Already with the new jersey on his hands, Odysseas confessed to being "very happy". "I am very proud to be here. It is a big club and the stadium is amazing", said the goalkeeper. "I can't wait to play here, with the supporters behind us. I am very happy", he confessed.

Text: Filipa Fernandes Garcia and João Sanches

Pics: SL Benfica