Stefan de Vrij has explained that a desire to regain prominence drove his decision to leave Inter Milan and join Panathinaikos, admitting he wanted to “feel important again” after spending much of last season on the sidelines at the Serie A champions.
The 34-year-old Netherlands international departed Inter when his contract expired in June, bringing a six-year spell in Milan to a close. Despite winning the Scudetto with the Nerazzurri, De Vrij found opportunities limited during the recent campaign, prompting the defender to seek a fresh challenge in Greece.
“My contract was expiring and I wanted to go back to being an important player somewhere,” De Vrij told ESPN during a friendly between Panathinaikos and Ajax, with quotes carried by LaLazioSiamoNoi. “Unfortunately, last year I didn’t play much at Inter.”
Project and location seal Greek move
Panathinaikos, who have endured a lengthy wait for major silverware, secured De Vrij’s signature ahead of reported interest from Feyenoord. The veteran centre-back said he was impressed by the club’s direction under new leadership and a young coaching staff.
“Then I discovered this beautiful historic club that hasn’t won trophies for a long time,” he explained. “They’re working on a very good project and have taken the right path, with a new board and a new young, modern coach. That attracted me.”
The defender also revealed that personal experience of Athens influenced his choice. De Vrij had been holidaying in the Greek capital when negotiations progressed, describing the city as “a fantastic place” and acknowledging the coincidence helped seal the transfer.
International availability and career background
Regarding speculation linking him with Feyenoord, De Vrij remained guarded, noting that a minor injury had complicated matters without elaborating further. He confirmed, however, that he remains committed to international football and available for Netherlands selection following their early World Cup exit.
De Vrij previously spent four seasons with Lazio before joining Inter in 2018. His departure from the San Siro marks the end of a successful stint that included domestic honours, though his reduced role in the final year ultimately convinced him to embrace Panathinaikos’s rebuilding project.