Ex-EFL pair end up on same Europa League scoresheet after finding new beginnings

Not one but two former EFL regulars notched in Thursday night's Europa Conference League tie between PAOK and Slovan Bratislava.

Chuba Akpom returned to the Greek club at the start of this season. The Middlesbrough man signed a year-long loan arrangement at a club he previously spent two years at.

Meanwhile, Andre Green swapped life at Sheffield Wednesday for a new start in Slovakia.

And last night saw both players register on the scoresheet in a 1-1 draw.

Akpom, 25, nodded the hosts in front early on before Green restored parity. It was an open and entertaining contest but spoils, in the end, were shared.

Chuba Akpom celebrates after scoring for PAOK ( Image:

DIMITRIS TOSIDIS/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

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The result leaves PAOK second in the group on four points. They trail leaders FC Copenhagen, who have won both their opening games. Bratislava are third, with a point on the board. Lincoln Red Imps sit bottom of the group after two straight losses.

Akpom, who started his career at Arsenal, spoke of his happiness at returning to a club he knows well.

"I'm so happy to be back, so happy to be playing in black and white, so happy to be playing with the coach and teammates again," he told PAOK TV.

"Although this is a place where I've been before and had a lot of success and I'm familiar with the fans, coming back home you have nerves. I don't know if it's anxiety or excitement but I was very motivated (to return)."

Asked how he changed in his year away from the club, Akpom added: "First of all I'm a father now, my son is seven months. I've definitely matured as a person off the pitch.

"On the pitch, it was a difficult season last season but I feel like this is a clean slate for me, playing with a coach that believes in me, I'm excited for the season."

As for Green, his move to Slovakia came as a relative shock.

Andre Green left Sheffield Wednesday, having only joined them in January

He had only joined Wednesday in January, having been a free agent since his release from boyhood club Aston Villa.

He featured three times for the Owls this season before completing his move abroad.

Darren Moore, Wednesday's manager, spoke about the decision to allow Green to leave for pastures new.

"We felt it was right for us as a football club in terms of where Andre was at, in the final year of his contract and everything else. They made the right offer, which is good for the football club.

"We sincerely wish Andre all the best in his next career step and move."

Green was part of the Villa team that won promotion to the Premier League in 2019. He came on as a substitute in the Championship play-off final victory over Derby at Wembley.