Alexander Tabakis

Acquired: Signed with Atlanta United as a free transfer from Panathinaikos on Jan. 25, 2016.

Alexander Tambakis became the first player in club history on Jan. 25, 2016 when he joined Atlanta United on a free transfer from Panathinaikos of the Greek Superleague. He spent the 2016 season on loan with USL affiliate Charleston Battery, where he played 21 games. The Greece-native began his professional career with Panathinaikos, his hometown team, in 2011. Tambakis was loaned out twice in his five years with Panathinaikos to Niki Volos and VVV-Venlo. He has 28 professional appearances.

2016 (Charleston Battery): Tambakis spent the 2016 season on loan with Charleston Battery where he started 21 games for the USL side, including a pair of playoff games. He was eighth in the league with 70 saves and fifth in save percentage (.778). Tambakis held a 1.05 goals against average during the regular season. He began the season as Charleston’s starting goalkeeper and opened the year with consecutive clean sheets against FC Cincinnati (March 26) and at Orlando City B (April 1). Tambakis’ longest streak of consecutive clean sheets lasted three games from June 18-July 2 where the Battery won all three contests during a four-game winning streak. He finished the regular season with six clean sheets. USL PLayoffs: Tambakis only conceded a pair of goals in as many games, both on the road, to FC Cincinnati in a 2-1 win (Oct. 2) and Louisville City FC in a 0-1 loss (Oct. 8). He made a total of seven saves in the playoffs.

2011-2015 (Panathinaikos): Tambakis signed with his hometown team of Panathinaikos in 2011 after spending time in their youth academy. He made one first-team appearance (April 22, 2012) with the club over a five-year spell that included loan deals with fellow Greek Superleague team Niki Volos in 2014 and Dutch club VVV-Venlo in 2015.