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.
