Rayo OKC Bolsters Attack With Greek International Georgios Samaras

Photo Credit: Jeff Holmes/PA

Rayo OKC added another major addition to its inaugural roster on Thursday with the signing of Greek international Georgios Samaras to a contract for the 2016 season.

Samaras played in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He has made seven World Cup appearances in his career. Samaras scored in the 90th minute on a penalty kick against the Ivory Coast to send Greece to the Round of 16 for the first time in the country’s history in the 2014 World Cup.

Samaras, 31, also played in the 2008 and 2012 Euro Cups with Greece.

The Heraklion, Greece, native has been a member of the Greek national team since 2006 and has made 80 appearances, including 61 starts and has scored nine goals in his International career.

“We are extremely excited and blessed to be able to sign Georgios,” Rayo OKC head coach Alen Marcina said. “He has played at the highest levels throughout his career and we are very fortunate to add him to our club. He brings a wealth of experience on top of his incredible talent level that will be immeasurable for our team.”

Along with his International experience, Samaras has played in the some of the most prestigious leagues around the world since 2001.

Samaras played seven seasons with Celtic FC, which plays in the Scottish Premiership. He made 251 appearances with Celtic and scored 74 goals.

Samaras has played four seasons in the English Premier League, including three seasons with Manchester City and one with West Bromwich Albion. Samaras made 59 appearances in four seasons in the EPL, including 28 starts and scored eight goals.

The Greek national team veteran also played four seasons in the Eredivisie (top league in the Netherlands) with Heerenveen, where he made 101 appearances and scored 33 goals.

Last season, Samaras was loaned from West Bromwich Albion to Al Hilal of the Saudi Arabia Pro League late in the year, where he made five appearances, including four starts.

“I’m very excited to come to Oklahoma City and join Rayo OKC,” Samaras said. “They have signed a lot of really good players and we are going to work very hard and hopefully be competitive in our first season in the NASL.”

Samaras has passed his physical examination with Rayo OKC doctors and trainers and is cleared for full activity and has been training with the team for the past week.

Samaras is the fifth player on Rayo OKC’s roster that has made a World Cup roster. The previous four are Marvin Chávez (Honduras), Daniel Fernandes (Portugal), Derek Boateng (Ghana,  and Robbie Findley (United States).