Kostas Laifis signed for Standard Liege, initially on loan, in 2016 from Olympiacos and he’s increasingly impressing people in Belgium.
It’s now thought the 25 year old Cypriot is ready to take a step higher and test himself elsewhere, although he’ll probably stay where he is in the winter transfer market.
Things weren’t always going well for the footballer, and speaking to Het Belang van Limburg, he’s explained that moving to Nottingham Forest’s youth set-up in 2009 was a difficult experience and one he quickly regretted.
The situation got better, but then Laifis had to return to his home country for military service, and he’s told HBVL: “When I was 15 I moved to Nottingham Forest. I was too young. I had a hard time in England. After a few weeks I wanted to go home already.
“My family said I should be strong. In the second year it went better, but then I had to return to Cyprus because of the military service. Fourteen months. I was allowed to go out for four or five hours every day to train with my team. I was formed during that period.”
Manager Michel Preud’homme is experienced enough to know a good defender when he sees one and he’s explained Laifis is a player who can reach the top.
He believes the player is the ‘brains’ of Standard’s defence and HBVL say he’s one of the most underrated performers in Belgian football.
