Augsburg set to receive over €4m for wingback Dimitrios Giannoulis in atypical deal that includes a friendly | OneFootball

Kicker reports that Augsburg have reached an agreement to sell Greek wingback Dimitrios Giannoulis to PAOK Thessaloniki. The Bundesliga club are set to receive a €4.25m package for the 30-year-old. Interestingly enough, the Greek club have also secured a friendly in Augsburg as part of the deal. 

The Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung backs up Kicker’s reporting. Giannoulis is expected to travel to Thessaloniki on Wednesday before signing a three-year contract through 2029. Both sources claim that Germany’s Fuggerstädter held firm until PAOK improved their offer several times.

Giannoulis joined Augsburg on a free transfer

The transfer represents profitable business for Augsburg. Giannoulis joined the Bavarian Swabians  on a free transfer from Norwich City in the summer of 2024 and remains under contract through 2028. Augsburg can now generate a fee exceeding €4m after receiving two full Bundesliga seasons from the experienced defender.

Giannoulis immediately established himself as the club’s first-choice left-back. He started all 31 of his league appearances during the 2024/25 campaign, contributing one goal and four assists. The Greek international added two goals and five assists across 27 Bundesliga appearances last season.

He departs German footballing having registered three goals and nine assists in 58 German top-flight fixtures. The former PAOK defender deliberately chose to continue his career abroad at the time, but will now return to the club where he originally established himself.

Giannoulis became expendable when Augsburg signed German left back Hennes Behrens this past summer. Behrens – after making 15 starts whilst featuring on loan for Heidenheim last spring – significantly raised his Bundesliga profile and is considered a candidate for a breakout campaign. 

GGFN | Peter Weis