Long history, new approach

Founded in 1930, Aris Limassol are one of the most long-established clubs in Cyprus, but they had been without a major trophy to their name in close to 100 years, and were in the second division as recently as 2020/21. 

And their transfer and football operations strategy, like many clubs in Greece and Cyprus, was a traditional approach, reliant on a limited and restricted network of clubs, agents and industry professionals.

But with that comes a lack of transparency and reliable transfer market information, reliance on third parties and missed opportunities without access to a global, unrestricted network of decision-makers.

But in the summer of 2021, coinciding with their promotion to the Cypriot First Division, a new era began under new ownership, where they focused on a modernised approach focused on innovation, data-led decisions and expanding their global transfer market access.

They won their first two major trophies in quick succession in 2022/23 - the Cypriot First Division and the Cypriot Super Cup. That same summer, they aimed to cement their position among the country’s elite by joining TransferRoom.

Through TransferRoom they gained direct access to real-time market intelligence and the contact details of decision-makers at over 800 clubs and 550 Trusted Agencies from more than 130 leagues worldwide. 

They can also share their requirements directly to those clubs and see what the clubs are looking for, as well as benefit from a wealth of player and squad data.

Daniel Sikorski, who was part of their playing squad from 2020 to 2023, joined as Sporting Director in that same summer of 2023 after retiring from his playing career. And he says TransferRoom is having a big impact.

“We are, from our history, an old club, but we from the new generation, we are quite new, yes. Our project started in 2021,” Sikorski added.

“[Joining TransferRoom] is a perfect opportunity for us, to get good relations, to get connections to other teams around the world.

Sikorski was speaking at the TransferRoom Summit in Lisbon, in November 2023, where Aris Limassol were one of close to 300 clubs and a select group of TransferRoom Trusted Agencies met for two days of transfer talks, networking and knowledge sharing.

These in-person Summits are held at key locations around the globe a few times a year.

And with that opportunity in Lisbon, Sikorski and Aris Limassol held a one-to-one meeting with Toulouse FC in France. 

The 15-minute meeting and following opportunities for discussion had a key role in the Cypriot side’s club-record sale of Shavy Babicka for €2.75million.

“It's a perfect opportunity here to meet everybody in one place,” Sikorski added. “To get to these guys we want to approach. It's an amazing opportunity.”

This evolution of Mediterranean football is not limited to Cyprus however with an array of talent emerging from the region and global clubs taking note. 

Club Brugge are among more than 800 clubs using TransferRoom. You can find out how to join them here.

Agents, get access to the decision-makers at top clubs in over 130 leagues worldwide and land the best deal opportunities as a TransferRoom Trusted Agent. Find out more here.