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Osman reveals Panathinaikos exit details, explains PAOK move
🇬🇷 Greece /Sports

Osman reveals Panathinaikos exit details, explains PAOK move

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Cedi Osman is leaving Panathinaikos to join PAOK, revealing details about his communication with coach Zeljko Obradovic.
  • Osman stated he had a good two-year experience at Panathinaikos but faced initial difficulties adjusting to European basketball.
  • He expressed excitement about PAOK's project and their ambition to reach the EuroLeague, despite having another year on his Panathinaikos contract.

Cedi Osman has departed Panathinaikos for PAOK, sharing insights into his decision and interactions with coach Zeljko Obradovic. Osman described his two years with Panathinaikos as "unbelievable," filled with "beautiful memories" and a warm reception. He admitted to struggling initially, hitting a "wall" with European basketball in his first four to five months, but felt constant support from fans and the club.

They always believed in me. Both the fans and the club. After that, everything started to go better for me. When I got used to European basketball, I started playing my own game. And eventually, I became one of the most beloved people there.

— Cedi OsmanReflecting on his time at Panathinaikos.

"They always believed in me. Both the fans and the club," Osman said. "After that, everything started to go better for me. When I got used to European basketball, I started playing my own game. And eventually, I became one of the most beloved people there."

Osman expressed his enthusiasm for PAOK, drawn by their project and ambition to compete in the EuroLeague. "When we first talked, they presented the project and their plans, and that excited me a lot," he explained. "For me, it was not an easy decision. I still had one year left on my contract with Panathinaikos, and all discussions were heading towards me staying. And I was waiting. But sometimes, not everything depends only on what you want."

When we first talked, they presented the project and their plans, and that excited me a lot. For me, it was not an easy decision. I still had one year left on my contract with Panathinaikos, and all discussions were heading towards me staying. And I was waiting. But sometimes, not everything depends only on what you want.

— Cedi OsmanExplaining his move to PAOK.

Despite having another year on his contract, Osman made the move, calling it a "difficult process" due to interest from other clubs, including Turkish teams like Efes and Fenerbahçe. He clarified that the narrative of him not wanting to return to Turkey was surprising. "Things were taken in different directions. Things were said like I didn't want to come to Turkey. I am really surprised by this," he stated.

Things were taken in different directions. Things were said like I didn't want to come to Turkey. I am really surprised by this.

— Cedi OsmanAddressing speculation about his desire to play in Turkey.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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