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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Giorgos Giakoumakis celebrates post Celtic liftoff by enduring Atlanta United gauntlet during bizarre initiation

Former Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis has finally kickstarted his post Parkhead career after linking up with his Atlanta United teammates for the first training session.

The Greek star left Ange Postecoglou's champions following 18 months in the Scottish Premiership, but depute leaving Glasgow's east end last move he he missed his chance to debut last weekend as Atlanta United won 2-1 against San Jose Earthquakes in their Major League Soccer opener due to his visa not being approved. The towering frontman was not even able to train with his teammates before the permit was green lit - but could make his debut in the clash with Toronto on Sunday.

Giakoumakis received his initiation from his new squad during his first session as he ran a bizarre gauntlet of punches before starting training. The smiling striker appeared to take the strange ritual in his stride as he laughed off the prods from teammates and coaching staff.

Manager Gonzalo Pineda had said ahead of Giakoumakis return to America, with the striker leaving the country as he waited for his visa, he was optimistic of an impending debut. He said: "We are hopeful that we may have some good news. He is out of the country, we need to see how the travel is, how he feels in general and we make a decision from there."

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