HARRISON, NJ – Giannis Nikopolidis was officially announced by the New York Red Bulls, with the MLS club likening the son of Greece’s most capped goalkeeper of all times to Giannis Antetokounbo and describing him as its own “Greek Freak”.
“Our Greek Freak. We chose Giannis Nikopolidis from the University of Georgetown at number 71 in the draft. Welcome, Giannis”, the New York team wrote in a post on Instagram.
For his part, the 21-year-old goalkeeper said he was happy to be selected at number 71 of the Draft, which coincidentally is the number his father, Antonios Nikopolidis, a former Greek international and Euro 2004 winner, wore during his glorious career.
“What a beautiful feeling for the New York Red Bulls to choose you”, Giannis Nikopolidis posted on his personal Instagram account.
According to the Red Bulls, Nikopolidis was Georgetown’s four-year starter at goalie and a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-America honoree in 2020. He was also a two-time BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year as well as a three-time All-BIG EAST selection. In his career at Georgetown, he started in 56 games and posted a 0.69 goals-against average as well as a 0.800 save percentage. Nikopolidis went 39-10-3 in the net with 156 saves helped the Hoyas have advanced to four NCAA Tournaments, three-consecutive NCAA quarterfinals, two College Cups and won the 2019 NCAA Championship.
