Unbelievable scene: Hradec announces player from inside OAKA stadium before battle with Panathinaikos

FC Hradec Králové has bolstered its attacking line with the signing of Herman Barkouski, a 24-year-old Belarusian forward acquired from Polish club Puszcza Niepołomice. The transfer was announced just hours before the team's crucial Conference League playoff match against Panathinaikos in Athens.

Barkouski, who has scored seven goals in 46 appearances in the Polish top division last season and has 15 caps and two goals for the Belarusian national team, will not be eligible to play in the first leg against Panathinaikos. He missed the registration deadline for the European competition and will only be available for the return match in the Czech Republic.

In a peculiar turn of events, Hradec Králové chose to conduct the official photoshoot and announcement of their new signing in Athens, specifically at the Olympic Stadium (OAKA), the venue for the match against Panathinaikos. This unusual decision has added a unique element to the transfer announcement.

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Herman is the player we were looking for in our attack. He is tall, dynamic, and possesses very good technical skills, along with experience with the Belarusian national team. We see great potential in him and believe he can help us immediately. I hope he adapts quickly, and together we will further develop his game.

Petr Pojezny, Hradec Králové's sporting director, described Barkouski as the ideal striker the team was seeking. "Herman is the player we were looking for in our attack. He is tall, dynamic, and possesses very good technical skills, along with experience with the Belarusian national team. We see great potential in him and believe he can help us immediately. I hope he adapts quickly, and together we will further develop his game," Pojezny stated.

Barkouski himself expressed his enthusiasm for the new challenge. "I am very happy to become a player of Hradec and a member of this team. I look forward to getting to know the new environment, my teammates, and the fans, and I will do everything to help the team achieve the best possible results," he said.

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I am very happy to become a player of Hradec and a member of this team. I look forward to getting to know the new environment, my teammates, and the fans, and I will do everything to help the team achieve the best possible results.