Ortega to River Plate, done deal
Francisco Ortega is leaving. River Plate and Olympiacos have agreed a deal for the left-back, with TyC Sports reporting the fee at €5m (1). The Argentine outlet says it is finalized. Ortega joined Olympiacos from Vélez and now heads back across the Atlantic.
Jota Silva: Champions League is everything
Jota Silva did not hide the stakes. Ahead of the Champions League third qualifying round match against NEC, he told the matchday programme plainly: "It's very important for us to be in the Champions League. I already feel like a member of the family" (2). The Portuguese winger joined from Nottingham Forest this summer and is already talking like someone who gets what this club demands.
NEC lose Kodai Sano on the eve of the tie
Your opponent just took a hit. NEC's Kodai Sano left the team hotel immediately to complete a transfer to another Dutch club, right before facing Olympiacos (3). The midfielder was a key player under Dick Schreuder. His sudden exit disrupts NEC's preparation at the worst possible moment.
Fan reactions
The mood among Olympiacos fans on Reddit leans pragmatic about Ortega's departure. Most see €5m as decent business for a player who was not in the long-term plans, especially with the club pushing hard on bigger moves elsewhere. Read the full thread.
