Panionios has sent a clear signal of intent ahead of the 2026/27 season, securing the signing of Serbian Olympic champion Djordje Lazic as part of an ambitious summer rebuild.
The Athens-based club, which finished fifth in the Greek League last season, has also added experienced Serbian goalkeeper Dimitrije Risticevic and promising Greek youngster Angelos Lampatos as it looks to challenge the country’s established powers.
Lazic is undoubtedly the headline arrival.
The 30-year-old centre-forward joins Panionios after two successful seasons with Jadran Herceg Novi, where he established himself as one of the pillars of the Montenegrin side. During his time at the club, Lazic helped Jadran win two Montenegrin League titles and a Montenegrin Cup, while also contributing to the team’s rise among Europe’s elite.
A product of the famous Partizan academy, Lazic has enjoyed a distinguished career across some of Europe’s strongest leagues. Following his departure from Partizan in 2018, he spent time with Hungarian giants Szolnok and Italian powerhouse Brescia before moving to Montenegro.
On the international stage, Lazic has been a regular member of the Serbian national team. His honours include Olympic gold at Tokyo 2021 and European Championship gold in 2026, while he also won bronze at the 2018 World Cup.
Panionios has also reunited Lazic with former Partizan teammate Dimitrije Risticevic. The experienced goalkeeper arrives with an impressive resume, having represented clubs including Partizan, Marseille, Catania, Novi Beograd, Panathinaikos and Primorac Kotor. A former captain of Partizan, Risticevic was part of Serbia’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2014 World Cup.
Alongside the experienced Serbian duo, Panionios has invested in youth with the signing of Angelos Lampatos. Born in 2008, Lampatos is regarded as one of Greece’s most promising young talents and helped the country’s U18 national team secure bronze at the 2025 European Championships in Oradea.
The trio of signings arrives as Panionios prepares for a new chapter under head coach Theodoros Chatzitheodorou. One of the greatest players in Greek water polo history, Chatzitheodorou takes over after several seasons in charge of PAOK.
With an Olympic champion leading the way in Lazic, a proven international goalkeeper in Risticevic, and one of Greece’s brightest prospects in Lampatos, Panionios appears determined to make significant strides during the 2026/27 campaign.
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