Red Star lands Cyprus winger Loizou for a signing
Cyprus international Loizos Loizou has arrived in Belgrade for a medical and to sign for Red Star, a new attacking addition ahead of the Champions League qualifiers.
- Cyprus international Loizos Loizou has left his national team camp and arrived in Belgrade for a medical and to sign for Red Star.
- Red Star is paying Hapoel Tel Aviv around three million euros by activating a release clause, with 15 percent of the fee going to parent club Omonia.
- He has been offered a five year contract worth about 800,000 euros a year.
- The 22 year old winger joins after Abu Fani, Cham and Balov in the summer window.
Red Star is closing in on another notable summer arrival. Cyprus international Loizos Loizou has left his national team camp and travelled to Belgrade, where, according to the club, only a medical stands between him and a signature. The winger is expected to strengthen the Serbian champions ahead of their Champions League qualifiers.
The deal has been agreed by activating the release clause in the player’s contract with Hapoel Tel Aviv. Red Star is paying the Israeli club around three million euros, while his original Cypriot club Omonia is entitled to 15 percent of this fee. Loizou has been offered a five year contract worth about 800,000 euros a year, which places him among the better paid players in the squad.
The Cyprus international was born on July 18, 2003, and has so far made 47 appearances and scored three goals for the national team. Despite being only in his early twenties, he already has serious international experience, and he arrives in Belgrade hoping to take a step up in his career through European football.
What does Loizou bring to Red Star’s attack?
The hosts have already brought in several signings this summer, including Abu Fani, Cham and Balov, so Loizou continues a run of investment in the attacking unit. He is at his best on the right wing, from where he can cut inside and threaten the opposition goal. The coach gains extra depth and competition out wide, which matters in a season with many games on several fronts.
For a club aiming at the Champions League group stage, signing a proven international fits a clear logic. Red Star wants a squad ready to handle both the domestic competition and the European qualifiers, and reinforcements are being secured early, before pre-season, so the newcomers settle into the playing system as soon as possible.
How does it fit the summer window?
Loizou’s move is part of a wider recruitment plan that Red Star is carrying out calmly but decisively. Rather than one big name, the club is building a deeper squad through several targeted transfers, betting that quality and competition will raise the level of the whole group. Triggering the clause also shows that the sporting department had its targets lined up, so talks were not dragged out by long haggling.
It remains to be seen how quickly the newcomer reaches the first eleven and what role he gets in the qualifiers. What is clear is that Red Star does not want to leave anything to chance this summer and is rounding off its squad in good time.
Do you think Loizou is the right addition for Red Star’s Champions League push?
