Sometimes, on the most unexpected occasions, puzzle pieces fit perfectly. In the summer for 2016, José Ángel Crespo was looking for a new challenge, one of many in his career. Since he weaned himself off Sevilla, having won a UEFA Europa League and a UEFA Super Cup with them, he was always on the road, holding his suitcase. Each season a different club… A journeyman of football, a nomad searching for the ideal conditions to settle down somewhere permanently.

He didn’t believe he would find these conditions in Thessaloniki – he has admitted to that. He hadn’t fully… unpacked. Three years later and after convincing even the most skeptical with his performances, Crespo is still here. And he will remain here until 2021.

A father of two now, with 111 games and 4 goals for PAOK, having won two Greek Cups, two MVP trophies… And his clothes are in the closet, not in the suitcase anymore.