NafisaGiorgos Giakoumakis has spoken out about his 2023 departure from Celtic, claiming he felt “disrespected” regarding the club’s contract proposal, after an impressive first campaign.
The team, then coached by Ange Postecoglou, brought in the Greece international from Dutch outfit VVV-Venlo, who had been relegated in the 2020/21 Eredivisie season in the Netherlands.
Although he struggled with an injury during the first half of the season, he still managed to notch 17 goals in 29 total matches for his new side, as Celtic regained the Scottish Premiership crown at the first attempt.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Giakoumakis reflected on his move to Scotland, following his prolific Eredivisie run. “The relegation with VVV-Venlo affected me a lot,” he said. “Imagine scoring 29 goals and then you don’t have any offers from any other team until August 26.”
“Eventually, when Celtic realised that ‘All he has is us’, they really took advantage of it. I had a ridiculous contract, and then they told me when I signed, ‘Well, if you prove yourself, we’re going to sit down in summer and give you what you deserve.’
“But of course, that was a lie to bring me there. And when I ended up top scorer, winning the league, they bought me only for £2.5m, you feel like, ‘Ok, I proved myself. I did my part. Now let’s do yours’. So I talked to them, and I said, ‘Listen, you need to give me what I deserve.’ And then they just offered me like £1,000 more per week. That was the offer they made to me.
“And at this time, I said, ‘Don’t even make any other offer because I feel disrespected and you didn’t appreciate what I gave for the team and for the fans.’ The connections I had, I don’t care anymore.
“I am done with you, name a price, I’m leaving.”
After the signing of Oh Hyeon-gyu, Giakoumakis departed Celtic for MLS outfit Atlanta United. Scoring 24 goals and contributing seven assists, the forward was a major hit in the USA, before moving to Mexican club Cruz Azul the next year, where he currently plays.
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