By Kostas Giataganas/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos is very close to striking deal with Finnish combo guard Petteri Koponen according to Eurohoops sources. The player and the Greek club are advanced talks and there might be a final agreement soon.
Koponen, 30, has been a free agent since Barcelona officially parted ways with him on June 29. Panathinaikos head coach Xavi Pascual requested the signing of the Finnish guard and, on his side, the player expressed the desire to continue his career with the Greens.
During the previous season, Koponen averaged 7.9 points (shooting with 51% from behind the arc), 1.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists over 20 minutes per game in EuroLeague.
If Koponen signs with Panathinaikos it will be his first venture in Greece. Throughout his career, the 2015 All-EuroCup First Team guard has played in Finland (Tapiolan Honka) Italy (Virtus Bologna), Russia (Khimki Moscow) and Spain (Barcelona). In 2015, Koponen won the EuroCup with Khimki.