10.02.2012, 08:03
Füchse sign Igropoulo

Russian right back to join former Barcelona team-mate, Iker Romero, in Berlin

Füchse sign Igropoulo

Ambitious Füchse Berlin have made another strong signing with the capture of Russian right back Konstantin Igropoulo.

For Berlin - debutants in this season’s VELUX EHF Champions League - Igropoulo is the second player signed from defending VELUX EHF Champions League champions FC Barcelona Intersport after Spanish left back Iker Romero joined the club from the German capital in 2011.

Right back Igropoulo, a 26-year-old with 95 international caps - has signed a three-year deal and will replace Icelandic Alexander Petterson, who will join Rhein Neckar Löwen after this season.

Igropoulo – with Greek roots, but born in Siberia – joined FC Barcelona Intersport in 2009 after playing for Russian champions Chekhovskie Medvedi and several Greek clubs. The left-handed back court player won the VELUX EHF Champions League title in 2011 and wasl also a finalist at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2010 with Barcelona.

"It was our absolute wish to sign Konstantin Igropoulo. We will have much more options, especially in attack, with him," said Füchse manager Bob Hanning.

"To sign the second player from FC Barcelona Intersport shows that we are established in the top class of European club handball."

Iker Romero was involved in the transfer of his former teammate and said: "He is a great handball player and has a great personality. I am really looking forward to playing in the same team with him again."

TEXT: Björn Pazen