Charálampos “Babis” Kostoulas is an 18‑year‑old Greek forward, recently signed by Brighton & Hove Albion from Olympiacos.
Charálampos “Babis” Kostoulas began his football journey in Agia Anna Volos, a grassroots academy in Greece. At just 12, he showcased his potential at a tournament in Düsseldorf, netting 10 goals and drawing interest from PAOK.
In summary:
▪︎First club: Agia Anna Volos
▪︎Breakthrough move: Joined Olympiacos academy in 2019 after a standout performance in a German youth tournament.
▪︎The rest is history as he climbed through the ranks with record-breaking achievements.
▪︎▪︎▪︎Charalampos Kostoulas is widely considered a top talent, both in Greece and across Europe. Here’s why he’s so highly rated:
Why He’s Considered a Very Good Player
Goal-Scoring Ability:
▪︎Scored 16 goals in 15 games at U15 level for Olympiacos.
▪︎In the UEFA Youth League (2023–24), he scored 5 goals in 8 matches, helping Olympiacos U19 win the tournament.
▪︎In the 2024–25 season, scored 7 goals for Olympiacos’ first team at just 17–18 years old.
Maturity Beyond His Age:
Debuted for Olympiacos B at 15 years and 7 months, the youngest ever for the club.
Known for his high work rate, intelligence in attack, and decision-making.
Physical & Technical Strengths:
▪︎Pace: Clocked at 36 km/h—elite level speed.
▪︎Two-footed finisher, strong in link-up play, holds up the ball well, and has excellent aerial ability.
▪︎Described as a “modern striker” with traits similar to Karim Benzema and Gabriel Batistuta.
What Coaches & Scouts Say:
Coaches at Olympiacos and Brighton praise his:
Professionalism
Work ethic
Tactical understanding
Was on the radar of Manchester United, Arsenal, Juventus, Bayern, and Real Madrid before Brighton signed him in 2025.
International Recognition
Represented Greece at U16, U17, U19, and U21 levels.
Scored 2 goals in 2 games for Greece U21.
Future Potential:
▪︎Transferred to Brighton for ~€35 million, a record-breaking fee for a Greek teenager.
▪︎Expected to grow into a Premier League-level striker, possibly with Champions League potential.
Conclusion:
Yes—Kostoulas is already a very good player with all the attributes of a future top striker:
Technical skill 
Athleticism
Mentality
Early impact in senior football
He’s not just “good for his age”—he’s genuinely elite for his age group, and he’s already proving it at senior level.
EURO U21 
