Official: Red Star Belgrade Announce Signing of Loizos Loizou
The biggest deal in Hapoel Tel Aviv’s history has been completed. Red Star Belgrade officially unveiled Loizos Loizou today, after buying him from Hapoel Tel Aviv for 3.8 million euros, the player’s full release clause. The Cypriot midfielder signed yesterday with the Serbian powerhouse after successfully passing his medicals, and joins the Serbian champions on a four-year contract with an option for an additional season. The transfer, first reported by ynet, is in fact the highest sale in the club’s history. In addition, the Reds retained 10 percent of any future sale of the midfielder. As part of the deal, it was agreed that the 500,000 euros Omonia Nicosia was supposed to receive will be covered by Red Star.
After the announcement, Loizou officially said farewell to Hapoel Tel Aviv in a post on his Instagram account. "It’s time to say goodbye to a club I will never forget," the Cypriot midfielder wrote. "Eight months ago I arrived here, and from the very first moment you welcomed me and took care of me as if I were part of the family. I am grateful to all my teammates, who helped me every day and pushed me to show the best version of myself on the pitch."
"Thank you for the trust you gave me from day one, for the guidance on and off the pitch, and for helping me grow as a player and as a person. Whether we were celebrating victories or going through difficult moments, Hapoel Tel Aviv fans, you were always there and gave us the motivation to keep fighting. It was an honor to play in front of you, and I will never forget the love and support you gave me. I have been given the opportunity to join a great club like Red Star and continue competing at the highest level. I am very excited for this new chapter. It was never about money, but only about the desire to fulfill my dreams. You will always have a big place in my heart."
Hapoel Tel Aviv also bid farewell to the player in a post published on the club’s official X account: "Thank you, Loizos! Today we say goodbye to Loizos Loizou, after the midfielder signed with the Serbian champions, Red Star Belgrade. Loizos, thank you for the commitment, the heart, and every corner you burned on the pitch in the red shirt. You were an inseparable part of our journey, and you left a mark on the club and in the hearts of the fans. We wish you great success in the future and thank you for every moment."
Loizou will earn about 750,000 euros per season, with his salary expected to rise gradually each year. Red Star are continuing to strengthen their squad and are expected to soon present Mohamed Abu Fani as well. Hapoel Tel Aviv are already working on finding a replacement for the departing midfielder, after reaching an agreement with Reims from France’s second division on the transfer of Tiemoko Diarra for half of his rights, 1.5 million euros. The midfielder scored three goals and added four assists last season in France’s second division. After the agreement with the French club, Hapoel will begin direct negotiations with the player in an effort to complete the signing.
