8 famous players you may not realise are playing in Greece

The Greek Super League is way down the pecking order of European football - but there's a whole host of household names plying their trade there that you didn't know about

Most of the time when a footballer is in Greece they've gone for a summer holiday to the likes of Mykonos.

The islands are a popular destination for sun-seeking stars with many choosing to go there in the off season. But some actually stay all year round and ply their trade in the Greek Super League.

While it doesn't come close to rivalling Europe's big five for entertainment and talent, there's a whole host of familiar faces starring in the 14-team division. And there's some you wouldn't have realised - as Daily Star Sport is about to remind you of.

Marcelo

Real Madrid and Brazil legend Marcelo joined Olympiacos on a free transfer in the summer after his 15-year stay at the Bernabeu came to and end.

It hasn't gone swimmingly for him so far, with reports emerging last month the club were going to rip up his one-year contract due to concerns over his fitness.

The 34-year-old's game time has improved slightly since then and he grabbed a brace in a recent Greek Cup victory to get off the mark for his new side.

Is there any stars you know of playing in Greece? Let us know in the comments section.

James Rodriguez

Fellow former Real star James Rodriguez, 31, reunited with his old team-mate Marcelo by joining Olympiacos in September.

He cut his stay in Qatar with Al-Rayyan short and has enjoyed a better start to life in Greece, getting on the scoresheet twice and assisting another two goals.

Everton fans will no doubt be pleased to not know about his current whereabouts, but it is hard to believe the man who dominated the 2014 World Cup for Colombia has fallen so far.

Mathieu Valbuena

Olympiacos have a tendency to pick up veteran stars with 38-year-old Mathieu Valbuena still on their books.

The ex-France international has been with them since 2019 and signed a one-year contract extension at the end of last season, but he's been injured for a large chunk of the current campaign.

Valbuena has been a solid servant despite very much being in his twilight years, registering 16 goals and 42 assists in 136 appearances.

Nordin Amrabat

AEK Athens let former Watford forward Nordin Amrabat go and support his brother Sofyan, who starred in the middle of the park for Morocco, at the World Cup.

The 35-year-old made 64 appearances for his country himself and briefly played alongside his younger sibling for the national team. He's now nearing the end of his career in Greece.

But Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan's is just about to take off, with several Premier League clubs taking an interest in him following his stellar performances in Qatar.

Bernard

Another Everton flop who's now playing in Greece is winger Bernard, who scored just eight times in three seasons at Goodison Park.

The 30-year-old Brazilian left the Toffees to join Sharjah FC in the United Arab Emirates last year, but moved on again to Panathinaikos in the summer.

He's been a regular fixture in the league leader's side this season and scored his first goal for them in a 1-1 draw with Ionikos yesterday (December 21).

Gervinho

Arsenal cult hero Gervinho has been here, there and everywhere since departing the Emirates in 2013. After three years with Roma, he cashed in on the Chinese Super League with Hebei China Fortune.

He then returned to Serie A with Parma in 2018, spent last season with Turkish side Trabzonspor, and has now ended up at Greek outfit Aris.

The 35-year-old has been in and out of the starting XI with just the solitary goal to his name so far this season.

Andre Gray

Having failed to make his mark in the Premier League with first Burnley and then Watford, Andre Gray is just as well known for being the partner of Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock.

The pair are living part-time in Thessaloniki after striker Gray opted to also join Aris like Gervinho earlier this year.

He's found the back of the net five times in 14 appearances, and has also been representing the Jamaica national team since last year.

Anthony Knockaert

French midfielder Anthony Knockaert, 31, is still technically a Fulham player, but he's seeing out the final year of his contract on loan at Greek side Volos.

He made just four appearances for the Cottagers last season with things not working out for him in west London after leaving Brighton in 2019.

Knockaert, who's most memorable moment is unfortunately his infamous penalty miss in the 2013 Championship play-off semi-final for Leicester against Watford, has scored once in seven league appearances this term.