Mumbai City FC has bolstered its squad with the signing of Greek forward Nikolaos Karelis on a one-year contract, securing his services until the end of the 2024-25 season. The announcement, made on Thursday, July 11, brings an experienced and prolific goal-scorer to the club ahead of a highly anticipated season.
The 32-year-old brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to Mumbai City FC. Known for his goal-scoring prowess, he expressed his enthusiasm about joining the club and playing in India. In a press release, Karelis shared his excitement:
“I am thrilled to embark on this new journey in a culturally rich country. I have heard many wonderful things about Mumbai City FC and can’t wait to join the club. The team has achieved significant success over the past few years, and I am eager to contribute to its continued success in the upcoming season. I look forward to being part of this dynamic team and playing in front of their passionate fans.”
The addition of Karelis is a significant move for Mumbai City FC, especially after the departures of key forwards Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Iker Guarrotxena, and Jakub Vojtus. Head coach Petr Kratky emphasized the importance of this signing in the club’s ambitions for the upcoming season:
“Nikos is a highly talented player who perfectly matches the requirements we expect from our forwards. He has experience playing in various European countries and has consistently proven his caliber in different leagues. We trust his capabilities greatly and are excited to have him with us at the club for the upcoming season. We believe his skills and experience will be valuable to our team.”
Born in Crete, Karelis began his professional career at the age of 16 with Greek side Ergotelis, where he made his debut on the final day of the 2007-08 Greek Super League season, becoming the youngest player ever to play for Ergotelis in a league match. His career trajectory took a significant leap during his tenure at Panathinaikos, where he scored 36 goals and provided 17 assists in 111 appearances.
Karelis continued to show his talents at KRC Genk in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, netting 33 goals. His most recent stint was with Panetolikos, where he not only served as captain but also played a crucial role in their campaigns from 2021 until the recently concluded season.
Beyond Greece, Karelis has played in several European leagues, including the Eredivisie with ADO Den Haag, the Championship with Brentford, and the Russian Premier League with Amkar Perm. His experience extends to the international stage, where he represented Greece at various youth levels, scoring 15 goals in 43 appearances, and made his senior national team debut during the UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifiers, scoring against Finland. Karelis has earned 19 caps and scored three goals for the senior national team.
As Mumbai City FC gears up for the new season, the acquisition of Nikolaos Karelis is seen as a strategic move to strengthen their attacking lineup. His experience and goal-scoring ability are expected to play a crucial role in the club’s pursuit of success in domestic and international competitions. Fans eagerly await Karelis’ debut, hopeful that his addition will translate into on-field success and memorable moments at Mumbai City FC.
