The Greek striker, who had just finished as the top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie with VVV-Venlo, said he “didn’t think twice” about joining the Scottish giants. For him, the opportunity to play for a club with such a rich history, passionate fanbase, and European ambitions was an easy choice.
“From the moment Celtic showed interest, I was excited,” Giakoumakis said in an interview. “It’s one of the most historic clubs in Europe, and the chance to wear that shirt and play at Celtic Park was something I couldn’t turn down.”
The forward was brought in during Ange Postecoglou’s rebuild of the squad in 2021, and he quickly understood the expectations that came with representing Celtic. Despite initial struggles with fitness and adaptation, Giakoumakis grew into his role, becoming a key part of the team’s attack and endearing himself to the supporters with his aggressive style, poacher’s instinct, and important goals.
“Of course, it was a new league, a new country, and a new style of football,” he admitted. “But I always believed in myself. The fans gave me so much energy, and I wanted to repay that trust.”
Giakoumakis emphasized the unity and ambition within the Celtic squad as another reason the transition felt right. “We had a team that believed we could win everything domestically and compete in Europe. That kind of mentality matched mine.”
His time at Celtic might have been relatively short, but his impact was felt. For Giakoumakis, joining Celtic wasn’t just a career move — it was the fulfillment of a dream, and one he says he’ll always look back on with pride.
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