After four successful years in Romania, at the ranks of FC Vaslui Fotbal and FC Steaua București, Fernando Varela decided to accept PAOK’s offer in the summer of 2016. He penned his contract, took his family and they settled in Thessaloniki.

None of them could have imagined what the following years would bring. Three Greek Cup trophies, one league title, innumerable individual accolades and a unique emotional bond with the club and the city, unlike anything the Varela Family had experienced until then.

After a new cycle of negotiations, an agreement was reached –meaning, The Beast, his wife and their three children won’t go anywhere.

The centre-back from Cape Verde accepted the extension proposal of PAOK FC and penned a contract linking him with the club until June 2022.

A star player of the last three seasons, ca ornerstone of Răzvan Lucescu’s team, a consummate professional, a strong personality on and off the field… Varela is here to stay and continue rewriting history books for PAOK.

Good luck…. #TheBeast