Serie A mourning death of Oikonomou at age 33 after tragic accident

1 June 2026 at 17:58

Football is in mourning following the death of former Bologna, Cagliari, Spal, Bari and Sampdoria defender Marios Oikonomou at the age of 33.

The player was on his scooter on Saturday May 23 when involved in a traffic accident in his hometown of Giannina that left him with serious head injuries.

He had been in hospital in a critical condition in the intensive care unite, but finally succumbed to his injuries this morning.

Oikonomou a regular in Serie A

BOLOGNA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 20: Marios Oikonomou # 2 of Bologna FC reacts during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and Frosinone Calcio at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on September 20, 2015 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images) — BOLOGNA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Marios Oikonomou # 2 of Bologna FC reacts during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and Frosinone Calcio at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on September 20, 2015 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images)

The centre-back had retired from his playing career in July 2024 and spent much of his time in Italy.

Oikonomou came to Serie A for Cagliari in 2013, going through experiences at Bologna, Spal, Bari and Sampdoria, while he was close to a potential move to Napoli in 2015.

There were also spells at AEK Athens and FC Copenhagen (winning the Danish title in 2022) before his final season with Panaitolikos.

He also had six senior caps for Greece, making 48 Serie A appearances and 32 in Serie B.

Addio Marios, te ne sei andato troppo presto. Sarai per sempre nei nostri cuori. pic.twitter.com/lpZgEEIIdT

— Bologna FC 1909 (@Bolognafc1909) June 1, 2026

Ciao Marios pic.twitter.com/0uqGCHSe4R

— U.C. Sampdoria (@sampdoria) June 1, 2026