Kold is hot to trot for the upcoming season in France

Former Attica Rhinos player Kostas Gerontakis has been re-signed by French Elite 2 club Lesure-Arthes for the 2020/21 season.

Gerontakis, who goes by the nickname of ‘Kold’ with team mates, made five appearances with the team in 2019/20 until the season was cut short by COVID-19.

While fellow Greeks Stefanos Bastas and Giannis Rousoglou (also playing in France) returned home, Gerontakis remained in the south of France where he found work in a local factory.

Commenting on the news, Lescure-Arthes head coach Fabien Denis said: “Kostas is a very dynamic and determined player. He responds well to instructions and his performances improve as a result. He is always dangerous in attack and is always giving his biggest effort for the team.”

Gerontakis commented: “I am very happy they signed me for another season, because I was determined to remain in France and play at a higher standard. Despite being a great place to live, playing here in Elite 2 will give me a better chance of achieving my ultimate goal of playing in the national team. The World Cup in 2021 is a unique opportunity and anything I can do to help my chances of selection, I will do it.

“It (lockdown) has been a very lonely time for me. My Australian team-mate that I was sharing the flat with returned home so I was all alone. It was a difficult time, but I did my best to stay motivated and active. I was going for runs by myself almost every day. Living in a rural area certainly made that a bit easier.

During the lockdown period, most of the foreign players in France returned home. Gerontakis decided to stay on though in the hope that the club would re-sign him for the 2020/21 season.

“I want to thank Fabien and the club for showing faith and extending my contract. I love this club and I already feel like it’s my family.”

Season 2020/21 of Elite 2 is scheduled to kick off in September.