Cardiff midfielder Siopis joins Panathinaikos

Manolis Siopis made 64 appearances for Cardiff after joining in 2023

Cardiff City midfielder Manolis Siopis has returned to Greece after joining Panathinaikos for an undisclosed fee.

Championship side Cardiff signed the 30-year-old in the summer of 2023, with Siopis effectively buying out his contract at Turkish club Trabzonspor to force a free transfer.

The 36-cap Greece international featured regularly for the Bluebirds under his former Alanyaspor boss Erol Bulut but was used less frequently by Bulut's successor at Cardiff, Omer Riza.

Confirming Siopis' departure, a Cardiff statement read: "A popular character amongst players, staff and supporters in the Welsh capital, we'd like to thank Sio for all of his efforts and wish him the very best of luck for this next step in his career."

Siopis had recently lost his first-team place and competition in Cardiff's midfield is increasing following Sivert Mannsverk's arrival on loan from Ajax and Calum Chambers' successful switch from centre-back.

Alex Robertson was another in front of Siopis in the pecking order, while David Turnbull and Aaron Ramsey will add to Riza's options when they return from injury.

Cardiff sources have previously indicated they would need to move players on in order to make further signings before the January transfer window shuts on Monday.

Riza is keen to sign a winger or forward and selling Siopis - one of the Bluebirds' highest earners - could free up some funds.