Former Huddersfield Town, Southampton and Crystal Palace man takes charge of party town-based club

The club compete in the second tier of Cypriot football, representing the popular party town of the same name.

They have moved to recruit a former Premier League midfielder in Puncheon, who has joined following stints in charge of fellow Cypriot outfits Peyia 2014 and AEZ Zakakiou.

He has signed a contract running until May, the club have confirmed in a statement issued on Instagram.

The statement read: “Ayia Napa Athletic Club announces the start of its partnership with coach Jason Puncheon.

“Jason Puncheon has previously been the coach of the Peyia team and also of AEZ Zakakiou. The agreement with him is until May 2025.

“A member of the technical team will also be Christos Tsapatsoulis, who will be the direct partner of our new technician. The board of directors wishes both of them every success with our team.”

Puncheon ended his playing career in Cyprus, representing Pafos, Anorthosis Famagusta and Kissos FC Kissonergas before hanging up his boots.

A well-travelled figure back in England, Puncheon is best known for his exploits in the colours of Southampton and Crystal Palace.

He had one stint in Yorkshire, spending the second half of the 2018/19 season on loan at Huddersfield.

Puncheon managed seven outings for the club, all but one of which were in the Premier League.