Cruz Azul set for steep loss on flop Giorgos Giakoumakis

Giorgos Giakoumakis’ short-lived Cruz Azul chapter is officially over. The Greek striker is packing his bags for a return home, with reports in Europe confirming he’ll sign for PAOK Thessaloniki in a deal worth approximately $2.3 million, a fraction of what the Mexican club paid for him.

Giorgos Giakoumakis: Cruz Azul’s $10 million man

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reports the move is a one-year loan with an option to buy for roughly the same amount. For Cruz Azul, it’s a steep loss: they spent close to $10 million to bring Giakoumakis from MLS side Atlanta United in July 2024.

Greek striker’s disappointing Mexico spell in numbers

The 30-year-old still had a contract running through 2028, but never lived up to expectations in Liga MX. In 40 appearances for “La Máquina,” he scored just nine goals and added eight assists, numbers far below what a club with Cruz Azul’s ambitions demands. In fact, the only stop in his career where he produced less was with AEK Athens, where he netted three times.

Giakoumakis will now return to the Greek Super League, where he previously played for Platanias and AEK. For Cruz Azul, it closes the book on a costly transfer gamble that never paid off.

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