Panathinaikos Athletic Club has officially announced the signing of Dimitrios Skoumpakis, one of Greece’s most accomplished defenders, in what marks a major acquisition for the club’s water polo department.
The 27-year-old international has signed a 2+1 year contract in the presence of Club President Dimitris Vranopoulos.
The move signals Panathinaikos’ growing ambition in domestic and European water polo. Skoumpakis, a 2.03m powerhouse from Chania, arrives from Serbian side Novi Beograd and is expected to play a central role in strengthening the “Clover’s” defensive line.
Skoumpakis brings with him an impressive list of international achievements with the Greek national team:
- Silver medal at the Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020)
- Silver medal at the World Championships (Fukuoka 2023)
- Bronze medal at the World Championships (Budapest 2022)
- Silver medal at the World League (2020)
- Silver medal at the Mediterranean Games (2018)
- Gold medal at the World Youth Championships (2017)
- Silver medal at the World Cup (2025)
His club career has seen a steady rise through some of Europe’s top sides. After beginning his professional career with Glyfada (2016–2018), he moved to Olympiacos (2018–2021), followed by a season at Vouliagmeni (2021–2022), before joining Novi Beograd in 2022.
In his first official comments on the move, Skoumpakis shared his enthusiasm for the next chapter in his career:
“I am particularly happy about my agreement with the Panathinaikos club. It is a challenge that fills me with enthusiasm, as this is a new chapter in my career as an athlete and I can’t wait for it to start in the new season.
At the same time, it is my duty to remain fully committed to the obligations and current goals of my team, continuing with the same dedication until the completion of our collaboration. I thank and deeply appreciate those who support me at every step.”
Panathinaikos’ acquisition of Skoumpakis is widely seen as a landmark move for the club, one that elevates their status and competitiveness in the Greek league and beyond. With his arrival, Panathinaikos not only secures a top-class defender, but also a player with a winning mentality and significant international experience.