Athens - Arab Today
Former Barcelona and Real Madrid striker Javier Saviola has joined Olympiacos, the Greek club have confirmed. The 31-year-old striker has signed a two-year deal with the Superleague champions and will play under Spanish coach Michel, who took over at the Athens club in January. A statement on the club\'s official website also confirmed the Argentinian will wear the number nine jersey at the Karaiskakis Stadium. Saviola left Malaga on 30 June when his one-year contract expired and he reportedly rejected an offer to return to his boyhood club River Plate, as well as shunning a move to Brazilian side Santos. Olympiacos become the eighth club of Saviola\'s career, taking their place on a list that also features River Plate, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Monaco, Benfica and Malaga. In 2001 he joined Barcelona from River Plate as a 19-year-old for £15m and, following loan spells at Sevilla and Monaco, he joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2007. His stay at the Santiago Bernabeu was an unhappy one and in June 2009 he was sold to Benfica. He experienced a return to form last season at Malaga, scoring eight goals in 19 La Liga starts for Manuel Pellegrini\'s side, who reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. And by joining the Greek champions Saviola will now get another chance to compete in Europe\'s elite competition. Source: FIFA.com