Former AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis - banned from all Greek national teams for life for making a Nazi salute on the pitch - has signed for Serie B side Novara.
The 20-year-old was condemned by the Hellenic Football Federation's executive committee for raising his right arm in a Nazi salute after scoring the winning goal in AEK's 2-1 Super League win over Veria in March.
AEK, who were relegated for the first time in 89 years at the end of the season, suspended the midfielder indefinitely and he has now moved to Italy to join up with Alfredo Aglietti's second-tier outfit.
A statement published on novaracalcio.com read: "Novara have made the signing of midfielder Giorgos Katidis official."
In response to heavy criticism on social media and the Hellenic Football Federation's description of his salute as "a profound insult to all victims of Nazi atrocities", Katidis attempted to defend himself.
He reportedly claimed he was pointing to team-mate Michalis Pavlis, who was recovering from injury, in the crowd.
Katidis wrote on Twitter: "I am not racist in any way. I abhor fascism. I would not have done it if I knew that it meant something. I know the consequences and would not do it ever."
Katidis has played for Greece's Under-17, U19 and U21 teams, but has not been capped at senior level.
PR
