By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Ioannis Papapetrou is officially released by Panathinaikos and per Eurohoops sources he is expected to continue his career in Partizan under coach Zeljko Obradovic, a Panathinaikos icon.
The Greek club said goodbye to the captain with the following message: “Ioannis, thank you for these four years of contribution and dedication to our team. Good luck in your life and career. You will forever be one of us. Until we meet again”.
The contract of Papapetrou included a EuroLeague-out clause, however, the two sides decided to part ways by mutual agreement, and the team which will sign him will not have to pay the 400.000 euros which was the price of the clause.
Both Papapetrou wanted to make a fresh start in his career and has expressed since the start of the summer his wish to leave the team and also both technical advisor Argiris Pedoulakis and coach Dejan Radonjic decided that their plans didn’t include the Greek player.
A lot of teams were rumored and reported to be interested in the Greek forward, however, Fenerbahce, which was presented as a strong suitor, had already decided not to make a move.
Zenit St. Petersburg was also interested, however, at this point, Partizan has all but completed the deal with the player which is expected to be a two-year contract.
Papapetrou averaged in his nine EuroLeague seasons 8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, and 1.1 asp. However, in his four seasons with Panathinaikos, the 28-years old forward emerged as the best Greek player of his generation averaging last year 13,75 ppg and 3,6 rpg.