De Vry moves from Inter to Panathinaikos: "Needs to feel like a key player again"
Stephane de Vry, who joined Panathinaikos after eight years at Inter, attributed the decision to the appeal of Athens, new management and a young, modern coaching program. Even at the age of 34 can give a lot at a high level; He said he had no intention of retiring from the Netherlands team.
Inter's long-serving central defender Stephane de Vrij ended his spell with the Italian giants at the end of last season and joined Greece's Panathinaikos this summer. In the new chapter he is determined to regain the feeling of being a 'main player'.
De Vrij, 34, has made a total of 296 appearances in all competitions for Inter, winning nine major trophies, including three Serie A titles and three Coppa Italias. But in the 2025–26 Scudetto-winning season he played just 20 games in all competitions; He was mostly a change player. After losing his place under Cristian Chivu, he decided to take on a new challenge.
In an interview with "LaLazioSiamoNoi", de Vry said: "My contract ended. I wanted to be a key player again somewhere. Unfortunately, I didn't play much at Inter last season."
Despite Panathinaikos not winning a Greek top-flight title for several years (last in 2009-10), De Vry said the program there attracted him. "I got to know this club, which has not won trophies for a long time, has a beautiful history. New management, young and modern coach - they are working on a strong program on the right track. It impressed me," he said.
And the allure of Athens played a part in the decision, he says with a laugh. "Went to Athens on vacation; wonderful place. Did that vacation influence the decision? Yes, you could call it an 'event possibility'," he noted.
De Vry insisted that he will continue his international tour as well. He has said that he has no intention of retiring from the national team even after the Dutch team was eliminated by Morocco in the 'last 32' round of the World Cup.
De Vry, who is starting a new phase with Panathinaikos, is confident that at 34, he can still give at the highest level.
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