Official: Former Manchester City Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega Joins Olympiacos

Olympiacos have announced the signing of goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. 

The former Manchester City man was a free agent after his contract with Nottingham Forest ended in June. The official announcement comes after Florian Plettenberg revealed (covered by Roundtable) that Olympiacos had an agreement in place on salary with the German international, beating Arsenal to sign the player. 

The Gunners were initially interested in acquiring the services of Ortega as a backup option to first-choice keeper David Raya. Kepa Arrizabalaga is looking for a departure this summer to get more game time, and Arsenal had Ortega on their shortlist for the summer. However, they did not proceed with a potential deal.

The 33-year-old completed his medicals today in Piraeus and formally put pen to paper on his new contract with the Red and Whites. He is set to be available AT head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar's disposal for his team's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round contest versus NEC Nijmegen. 

Ortega graduated from German side Arminia Bielefeld's youth academy in 2011, before featuring for their first team between 2012 and 2014. He switched sides to 1860 Munich, and then returned to Arminia. In July 2022, he signed for Premier League champions Manchester City on a free transfer. Manager Pep Guardiola predominantly viewed him as a backup for Ederson; however, Ortega was well loved among the Cityzens' supporters due to being a reliable option whenever the Brazilian goalie missed games. 

Thrylos' latest signing is set to end their pursuit of Paraguayan and San Lorenzo goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who rose to fame following a stellar World Cup campaign with his country. Meanwhile, Ortega should replace the outgoing Konstantinos Tzolakis, who is on course to join newly promoted English top-flight side Hull City in the coming days.  

In other news, MLS side Sporting Kansas City are set to bid in the region of 24 million euros plus bonuses for Andre Luiz. Olympiacos bought the 24-year-old from Portuguese side Rio Ave for €6.75 million plus add-ons, but he has endured a lack of game time at the club, primarily due to the non-EU quota rules. 

Luiz have received details of a potential contract from the American outfit, and negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs for a permanent signing this summer. 

Olympiacos have rejected an offer from EFL Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the English team remains in the race to secure the player's services. Evangelos Marinakis is leading negotiations and we will be reporting on this whenever there is a new update.