Jack Panayotou Discusses RIFC Loan

"I want to play and I want to play for the best team I can."

Photo Courtesy of Rhode Island FC

A loan from MLS to the USL Championship could be perceived as a step down but for Jack Panayotou it was the right move.

“There wasn’t really hesitation,” the New England Revolution loanee stated when asked by Tom Quinlan about the move. “I mean, to be honest with you, I want to play and I want to play for the best team I can. For me, it's about continuing to get games and you know, be a part of something important and be a key guy for a team wherever that may be. So I thought Rhode Island was the place for that and I have absolutely no regrets so far with with my decision.”

Panayotou was able to make an instant impact with RIFC. He tallied an assist along with showing off his skill and technique on multiple occasions.

For a player who had just joined the team, Panayotou looked like he had been with Rhode Island all season.

“Khano has done a great job of welcoming me in and the rest of the coaching staff along with the guys, like I said, they're really good guys,” the midfielder said.

“It's always nice to I guess feel valued and feel important for a team, but I gotta continue to show that I fill that need for the team,” he later added. “So I'm gonna continue to do my best to do that.

At RIFC, Panayotou will gain meaningful minutes against grown professionals. The midfielder was clearly above MLS NEXT Pro talent, so playing in the Championship should prove beneficial for the youngster.

But the Revs player isn’t just focused on becoming a better player. Panayotou wants to win.

Yeah, I mean the biggest thing is I want to help this team win,” he stated. “Like I said, we really do have the pieces and I want to do everything I can to help this team win. I want to continue to get better and obviously have good performances to hopefully continue to get my name out there and continue to get better.”

Revolution fans will be sure to keep ane eye on Panayotou while he is playing with Rhode Island. The move also shows how much the soccer landscape has changed in the region with the addition of a club such as RIFC joining Hartford Athletic in the USL Championship.

So maybe you will see a few more Revs jerseys at Beirne Stadium checking out Panayotou’s progress and maybe RIFC will gain a few more fans in the process.