AEL will play at AEL FC Arena in the new season as the managers of the Crimson have reached an agreement with the stadium management. The news was announced by AEL’s owner, Achilleas Davelis, at the team’s press conference to mark the acquisition of Leandro Otormin.

The PAE AEL press release states in detail: “A particularly important day for PAE AEL is Tuesday (25/7) as two important events brought joy and happiness to the city’s sports fans for the new football year.

Specifically, the agreement on the concession of the AEL FC ARENA for the next season was announced in a hall of the “Divani Palace” by the President of PAE AEL, Achilleas Davelis. Uruguayan star Leandro Otormin was also introduced, while it was announced that season tickets will be available from tomorrow.

On the podium were President of PAE AEL Achilleas Davelis, First Vice President Ioannis Davelis, Communications Manager Dimitris Papalexis, newcomer to the team Leandro Otormin and his manager Miguel Riera.

In his first statement, the President of PAE AEL stressed:

“Good morning everyone, we are pleased to announce to the sports fans of the city and the people of Larissa around the world that AEL will be playing at the ARENA FC stadium in the 2023-2024 season.” The process has been completed and from then on, as reported in the press for the rest of the lease of the well-known stadium, the processes and procedures are expected to be completed within the next 24 hours. Because as you understand, it goes beyond AEL and Stadium SA. Other agencies are also involved for the remaining term of the lease. A total of five people are involved. That’s all there is to the field.

Today we have the pleasure and honor to introduce to the fans of AEL Leandro Otormin, a promising player from Uruguay who will be in the ranks of the team from this year and for the next two years. He’s coming as a midfielder and we hope he’ll do his best.”

When asked how difficult it was to transfer the team to the AEL FC ARENA:

“In terms of time, the negotiation process lasted eight months on my own initiative. So you can understand our strategy going beyond the first year which was tentative for the next year I hope and for the next many years to play in the real football stadium which also happens to be a football jewel in our city.” Apart from the historic Alcazar which we by no means underestimate we have had great and glorious moments in the Alcazar stadium but it is a common secret that the specifications of the Alcazar are different and the specifications of the ARENA are different.

Therefore, time rotates with time eight months ago. When it comes to the heart of the matter, you realize that things are much more difficult and complex when more than two are involved. As we are discussing an issue that is very important to the city and not unique to AEL, I appreciate that a great effort has been made and the best that can be done. I don’t want to say more so as not to anticipate decisions or announcements from people who are important to me. So I’m sticking with it, whatever happens, I hope for the best, AEL will play at ARENA FC in 2023-2024.”

Appeal to the people and business community of the city

Then the President of PAE AEL made a call to the sports fans and the business community of Larissa to help with the great effort that is being made:

“I would like to make a public appeal to all dear fans of AEL, to our fellow citizens in Larissa, but also to the business community that connects us so much. A very big effort is being made this year, we say no less and no more. The world puts its love and soul into the most popular sport, football. That’s what we’re asking the world to do this year in terms of our organization and our efforts. This is part one of the call. Starting tomorrow, season tickets will be available to sports fans at the final price.

The second has to do with the formal invitation to the city’s popular business community that has so much to offer this place. AEL is a very important part of this place and the history of the city. I am asking all colleagues, especially this year and beyond, with more enthusiasm and seriousness, to get involved in this huge effort and in the great intangible element called AEL. Finally, I would like to sincerely thank you all for your responsible and excellent attitude in all our endeavors. The media and especially the local media, in the vast majority, are exemplary and I want to thank you publicly, we look forward to seeing you and working well together so we can bring the world the real news the world needs. The world doesn’t need toxicity or fake news.”

Dimitris Papalexis, Communications Manager of PAE, commented on the acquisition of AEL:

“We will continue with the presentation of Mr. Otormin and therefore officially welcome our new player, who has a rich CV, 27 years old from Uruguay, with full years and participations in his country’s first national team as well as in the Copa Libertadores, he competes with ease in the axis in 10th position, but also in the two flank positions of attack.” He has very good shots in set pieces, he has signed a two-year contract with PAE AEL. Leandro Otormin is a ‘luxury’ for the Super League 2 category. We thank him very much for being with us and we believe he will make the greatest contribution. Both the President personally and PAE have gone to great lengths to be able to attract a player who we believe will make the greatest contribution to the team’s development this year.”

Then AEL’s new acquisition Leandro Otormin was placed:

“Thank you for coming to meet me. Of course I’m very happy, words fail me. I came here with great joy and strength. I saw great elements in the team and was very impressed with everyone overall. AEL is a great team. I couldn’t believe I had received so many messages before I was even announced by the AEL fan team. My phone is really full of messages from Larissa sports fans with nice words. These beautiful movements made me realize how big the team is.

All of this made me happy to continue with AEL. I understood from the start that there is a great team in Greece that also has a name in Europe and that’s good for my own career too. Many thanks to the chairman who told me the best and explained to me how big the group is. I want to prove at the stadium the trust they have placed in me and do something big and together with the whole team try to take AEL where it deserves.”