Olympiacos Piraeus is likely to lose its starting goalkeeper, Konstantinos Tzolakis, just a few days before the third round of Champions League qualifying. In return, Stefan Ortega Moreno could be a potential replacement.
Olympiakos officials currently have their hands full. Just one day after St. Pauli’s Manolis Saliakas returned to Piraeus, the next transfer is already on the horizon. National team goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis (23) is set to join Premier League newcomer Hull City.
In the 2023–24 season, which ended with a surprise Conference League triumph for Greece’s most successful club, the then-21-year-old Tzolakis finally established himself as the clear No. 1 in Piraeus. This was followed by a domestic double, his call-up to the national team (nine international appearances), and participation in the group stage of last season’s Champions League. Tzolakis made a total of 131 appearances for the Piraeus-based club.
Olympiacos made early efforts to extend his contract, which was set to expire in 2027, but the talented goalkeeper repeatedly expressed his desire to move to a top European league. That opportunity now appears to have arisen with newly promoted Hull City, which is opening the door to the Premier League for Tzolakis. Olympiacos will receive a transfer fee of around 15 million euros, plus bonuses customary in the industry.
Livakovic and Ortega Moreno as Possible Successors
Since Olympiacos is set to face NEC Nijmegen in the third round of Champions League qualifying in eleven days, a replacement must be found quickly. Among the candidates are big names such as Croatian Dominik Livakovic of Fenerbahçe and Stefan Ortega Moreno, who is currently a free agent. The 33-year-old moved from Manchester City to Nottingham Forest in February 2026, where he made only ten appearances—but reached the Europa League semifinals.
However, since the international competition for both goalkeepers is extremely fierce, an old acquaintance in Piraeus also stands a very good chance. The 33-year-old Portuguese goalkeeper José Sa previously played for Olympiacos from 2018 to 2021 before moving to the Wolves and the Premier League. Following their relegation last season, the five-time national team player would compete internationally with Olympiacos rather than follow the team down to the Championship.