Greece captain cut loose by AEK

Greece’s victorious Euro 2004 captain Theo Zagorakis was today made a free agent by cash-strapped AEK Athens.

The 32-year-old former Leicester midfielder, who was also voted player of the tournament in Portugal, agreed to end his four-year stay in the Greek capital after accepting a reduced pay-off.

AEK are reported to owe him €660,000 but Zagorakis has agreed to take half that amount in a bid to help the Athens club, who are battling bankruptcy with debts of around €97.5m.

A club statement said: “He showed that he genuinely has the club’s best interests at heart and is free to take up any of the great offers from teams abroad.”

Among the teams showing an interest are Serie A side Bologna although they may face competition for his signature from teams in Germany, Spain and England.