Panathinaikos have signed United States defender Dylan Woodhead from Vouliagmeni as they continue an ambitious rebuild ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The 27-year-old becomes the latest major addition to Dimitris Mazis’ squad, following Italy international Vincenzo Dolce and Greek duo Dimitrios Nikolaidis and Efstathios Kalogeropoulos.
Woodhead adds considerable size and defensive strength to a team that reached the Greek championship final last season, ending an 11-year wait to return to the title series. Panathinaikos ultimately finished runners-up to Olympiacos but have responded by assembling a squad capable of challenging again domestically and making further progress in Europe.
Standing at 2.01 metres, Woodhead is primarily used as a defender and has been a regular member of the United States national team since making his senior debut in 2018.
He competed at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games, helping the USA defeat Hungary on penalties to claim bronze in 2024. It was the country’s first Olympic medal in men’s water polo since Beijing 2008.
Woodhead also won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games and bronze at that year’s World Cup.
His move across Athens continues a professional career spent entirely in Greece. After graduating from Stanford University in 2020, Woodhead represented Glyfada and Ilisiakos before joining Vouliagmeni in 2022.
During his time with Vouliagmeni, he helped the club finish fourth in the 2023 Champions League and reach the Greek championship final.
Before moving to Europe, Woodhead won the 2019 NCAA title with Stanford and was named an honourable mention All-American during his final university season.
He said the history of Panathinaikos and the passion of its supporters had played a part in his decision to join the club, adding that the squad had the quality to achieve significant success.
“Now the hard work begins,” Woodhead said.
With Woodhead and Dolce reinforcing the defence, Nikolaidis strengthening the centre-forward position and Kalogeropoulos adding quality around the perimeter, Panathinaikos’ intentions for the new season are becoming increasingly clear.
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