Who is Kostas Tsimikas? Olympiacos star set for Liverpool transfer after £11.75m fee agreed

Liverpool are set to make their first summer signing after agreeing a deal to sign Olympiacos left-back Kostas Tsimikas for £11.75million.

Standard Sport understands the Reds are yet to agree personal terms with the Greece international, but that is not expected to present any difficulties in getting the deal over the line.

The champions’ recruitment staff considered Norwich defender Jamal Lewis a perfect fit in terms of ability and character but failed to agree a fee for the Northern Ireland full-back.

As such, they have pressed ahead with an £11.75m deal for Tsimikas, which was thrashed out by club officials this week as they search for cover for Andy Robertson.

With the 24-year-old looking likely to seal his transfer to Anfield in the next few days, here's everything you need to know about the Greek defender...

Career to date

Unlike several players to come through the youth system at Olympiacos in recent years, Tsimikas was born outside of Athens in the town of Thessaloniki.

He joined the Greek giants from Panserraikos in 2014 and swiftly made his senior debut five years ago, coming on a substitute in a Super League clash against AEL Kalloni in December 2015.

After seeing first-team opportunities limited, he was loaned to Danish outfit Esbjerg for the 2016/17 season, scoring twice in 13 appearances before heading to Willem II in the Eredivisie. It was there where Tsimikas caught the eye, becoming a regular fixture for the Dutch side.

He returned to Olympiacos for the 2018/19 campaign with first-team experience under his belt and has gone on to make 74 appearances over the last two seasons, with 46 of those coming in 2019/20.

Playing style

An attacking full-back with a tendency to break forward and a wand of a left foot to supply crosses from the flank, Tsimikas fits the mould of the modern full-back.

While the 24-year-old is not blessed with the same athleticism as Robertson, he is a reliable performer and impressed when he helped Olympiacos pull off a shock aggregate victory over Arsenal in the Europa League last-32 in February.

He has also looked comfortable when going up against Wolves and Tottenham in Europe this season, suggesting the highly-rated defender would have no such problems adapting to the Premier League.

What they said

If one thing is for sure, Tsimikas certainly does not lack ambition. “When I started playing football, this was the dream of a lifetime," he said.

"I am happy to have made it so far, yet this means nothing to me. I train hard to face such players."

His national team coach, John van't Schip, gave him a glowing review when asked about his ability earlier this year.

Speaking in June, he said: "He is a good player, a young defensive winger who plays very well. He had a great season always starting as a starter. I understand the interest of important clubs, if Napoli are among them it would be equally understandable."

Interest

Napoli were backed as the favourites to land Tsimikas earlier this year after his impressive displays in the Champions League caught the eye of visiting scouts.

Leicester had also been mentioned as potential destination should Ben Chilwell leave for Chelsea, with the left-back identified as a low-cost replacement.

But it appears the lure of playing for a team of Liverpool's stature was too good to turn down and Tsimikas looks set to move to Merseyside ahead of the new season.