De Vrij Seeks To Reestablish Importance With Panathinaikos After Inter Exit

Stefan de Vrij is targeting a central role at Panathinaikos after ending a long spell with Inter. The experienced Netherlands defender completed a move to Greece at the end of last month. De Vrij is 34 and wants regular minutes again after a reduced part in Inter’s most recent campaigns.

Panathinaikos are seeking a return to the top of Greek football, having last won the league in 2009-10. De Vrij hopes his experience in Serie A and Europe can support that aim, while also keeping performance levels high late in a long professional career.

De Vrij stressed that the decision followed the end of his Inter deal and a desire for status. "My contract was expiring, and I wanted to go back to being an important player somewhere," De Vrij said, as quoted by LaLazioSiamoNoi. "Unfortunately, last year I didn't play much at Inter."

The central defender admitted that lifestyle factors also shaped the switch after leaving Italy. "Then I discovered this beautiful historic club that hasn't won trophies for a long time," De Vrij 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. And then I was on holiday in Athens, a fantastic place. Did that holiday play a role? Yes, let's say it was a coincidence."

De Vrij left Inter after an eight-year spell, having joined the Serie A club in 2018. The defender made 296 appearances in all competitions for the Nerazzurri. During that period, Inter collected nine major trophies, including three Serie A titles and three Coppa Italia successes.

Despite that record, the 2025-26 season brought limited opportunities for the centre-back. Inter won the Scudetto that year, yet De Vrij played only 20 matches in all competitions. The defender often remained on the bench as an unused substitute, having slipped down the order under Cristian Chivu.

Inter confirmed the parting of ways on 30 June 2026, posting a farewell message to De Vrij on social media.

While planning a new chapter with Panathinaikos, De Vrij is also keeping international options active. The defender is not considering retirement from the Netherlands team. That stance remains unchanged even after the Netherlands went out to Morocco in the last 32 at the World Cup.

De Vrij’s move gives Panathinaikos a defender with long experience at elite club level. The club gains a player used to title races and cup runs, while De Vrij gains a chance to play more often. Both sides hope the partnership supports competitive goals in Greece and beyond.