CD Castellón sign Ilias Kostis to bolster defence on four-year deal | OneFootball

CD Castellón have strengthened their defence with the signing of 23-year-old centre-back Ilias Kostis from Atlético de Madrid.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the Greek-Cypriot arrives looking to make a definitive step in the professional game under Pablo Hernández and has agreed a contract through 2030.

Standing 1.88 metres, Kostis is noted for aerial strength, anticipation and assured passing. Predominantly a left-sided centre-back, he can also cover elsewhere across the defence. The position has been hit by Fabrizio Brignani’s recent injury.

Born in Salonica on 27 February 2003, he joined Atlético’s academy from APOEL in 2019 and became a regular with the B team.

His rise was interrupted by a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last October, and he is close to completing his recovery.

He made a brief Champions League debut under Diego Simeone against Feyenoord in October 2023, then featured in the Copa del Rey.

He has accrued experience in Segunda and Primera Federación with Atlético B, where he overlapped with Álex Calatrava. He is an international, first for Cyprus youth teams and now with Greece under-21s.

His arrival adds youth, height and development potential to a back line being refreshed this summer. He joins a side aiming to build on last season and will seek to establish himself in LaLiga Hypermotion.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo