Atlanta United signed Giorgos Giakoumakis (Yor-ghos Yah-koo-MA-kees) through the 2026 season on Feb. 8, 2023. Giakoumakis joined from Celtic F.C. in the Scottish Premiership and occupies a designated player and international roster spot.
Giakoumakis earned MLS Best XI honors in his first season with Atlanta and was named the 2023 MLS Newcomer of the Year as the forward scored 17 goals and provided three assists in 27 regular-season games, finishing in a tie for second in the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi race. The Greek international was selected to the 2023 MLS All-Star team and had the league’s best goals-per-90-minutes mark (0.85) with a minimum of 1,500 minutes played. Giakoumakis got off to a fast start for Atlanta, scoring in seven of his first 10 MLS matches, becoming just the seventh player in league history to accomplish the feat. He also became the second-fastest player in league history to reach double-digit goals to start their MLS career with 10 goals in his first 766 minutes of action. He added two goals and two assists during the 2023 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs to bring his season total to 19 goals and five assists.
Prior to joining Atlanta, Giakoumakis played two seasons in the Scottish Premiership with Celtic F.C. where he was the league’s top goal scorer with 13 during the 2021-22 season and helped Celtic win both the league title and Scottish League Cup. During the 2022-23 season, he tallied six goals in 19 appearances. Across all competitions, the forward scored 26 goals in 57 appearances for Celtic F.C.Â
The Heraklion, Greece native began his career at P.O. Atsaleniou before transferring to Platanias in 2012. After a couple of loan stints, Giakoumakis earned more regular playing time in the 2014-15 season with Platanias and scored his first Super League goal on April 26, 2015 against Panetolikos. In his final season with Platanias, the striker scored 11 goals in 26 Super League appearances, earning him a move to AEK Athens.Â
Over three seasons with AEK, Giakoumakis made a total of 48 appearances across all competitions, including featuring in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League group stages. In August, 2020, the striker moved to the Dutch Eredivisie and joined VVV-Venlo on a permanent transfer. The Greek striker blossomed in the Dutch top flight, scoring 26 goals in 30 appearances to earn the league’s golden boot honor. His performance that season caught the attention of Scottish giants Celtic F.C. whom he joined in August 2021.Â
International: Giakoumakis has made 20 appearances for Greece’s senior national team and scored four goals. He scored on his international debut on Nov. 11, 2020 in a friendly against Cyprus. The forward He also made three appearances for Greece at the U-21 level.Â
2023 (Atlanta United): MLS: Giakoumakis earned MLS Best XI honors in his first season and was named the 2023 MLS Newcomer of the Year as the forward scored 17 goals and provided three assists in 27 regular-season appearances (21 starts), finishing in a tie for second in the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi race. The Greek international was selected to the 2023 MLS All-Star team and had the league’s best goals-per-90-minutes mark (0.85) with a minimum of 1,500 minutes played. Giakoumakis got off to a fast start for Atlanta, scoring in seven of his first 10 MLS matches, becoming just the seventh player in league history to accomplish the feat. He also became the second-fastest player in league history to reach double-digit goals to start their MLS career with 10 goals in his first 766 minutes of action. Was named MLS Player of the Matchday for Matchday 27 after scoring a brace in the club’s 2-0 victory on the road against Seattle Sounders FC on August 20. MLS Cup Playoffs: Added two goals and two assists in Atlanta’s Round One series against Columbus. Recorded a goal and two assists in Atlanta’s 4-2 win in Game 2. Scored in 4-2 loss in Game 3. U.S. Open Cup: Did not feature. Leagues Cup: Started both of Atlanta’s matches in the group stage against Inter Miami CF and Cruz Azul.
