Sokratis Fytanidis

Sokratis Fytanidis

Personal information
Full name	Sokratis Fytanidis
Date of birth	25 May 1984
Place of birth	Koufalia, Greece
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position	Centre back
Club information
Current team	Atromitos
Number	6
Youth career
	PAO Koufalia
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2002–2007	Apollon Kalamarias	121	(2)
2007–2011	Asteras Tripolis	81	(1)
2011–	Atromitos	142	(7)
National team^‡
2004-2007	Greece U21	13	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 January 2016. † Appearances (goals) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 30 June 2005

Sokratis Fytanidis (Greek: Σωκράτης Φυτανίδης; born 25 May 1984) is a Greek footballer who plays for Superleague club Atromitos. Fytanidis is a right back who can play with ease as a center back or as a defensive midfielder if the need occurs. He has great work rate, discipline and leadership qualities. In his playing style is discriminant the right timing of his jumps and that he seldom loses a header. More defending qualities include coordination of the defensive line, goal line saves and locking his personal opponent out of the game.^[1]

Career

Fytanidis joined Asteras from Apollon Kalamarias F.C. in January 2008.^[2] and in 2011 arrived at Atromitos on a free-transfer. In 2010/11 season, he had 24 league and 2 cup appearances and he was the captain of Asteras Tripolis.

On 27 August 2011,he make his debut with Atromitos on a 1-1 away draw against OFI and scored his first goal on 12 February 2012 in a 3-1 home win against Kerkyra. On summer of 2013, Atromitos has announced the re-signing of Sokratis Fytanidis to a new 4-year contract just days after transfer speculation had the Greek midfielder on his way to Super League rivals PAOK. Fytanidis’ new deal means he will remain at the club until the end of the 2016/2017 Greek Super League season. The club announced the re-signing of the 29-year-old via the club’s official website, “Atromitos is pleased to announce the renewal of its partnership with Sokratis Fytanidis,” the statement read. The club’s statement referred to Fytanidis as the “rock” of the club’s defense, a label Fytanidis has earned thanks to his solid partnership alongside Nikolaos Lazaridis and Efstathios Tavlaridis in the Atromitos back-line.Fytanidis with his defensive awareness immediately helped the club to reach back-to-back Greek Cup finals in 2011 and 2012. Fytanidis’ success with Atromitos also earned him a call-up to the Greek national football team.^[3]

According to transfer reports, Fytanidis was rumored to be joining Panathinaikos^[4] on a free transfer until it was revealed that new PAOK owner Ivan Savvidis was keen to bring Fytanidis to Thessaloniki. Fytanidis commented on his decision to remain an Atromitos player and his hopes for future success with the club. “I am happy to continue my career Atromitos. I could not do so at another club after the support from the [club president] Mr. George Spanos and the high standard that has been set by the club and the fans,” Fytanidis stated. “Besides, through my discussions with Mr. Yiannis Angelopoulos, I know that the team has no ceiling for its aspirations. So I will work very hard to make sure we achieve the goals we have set.”^[5]

On 25 June 2015, he renew his contract with the club for three more years, till the summer of 2018, for an undisclosed fee.^[6]

International career

He was 59 times capped with the U21,19,17 Greek national teams. On 1 February 2013, Fernando Santos the Greek national football team coach has called the Peristeri defender for the first time in national team for a friendly match against Switzerland national football team.^[7]

Honours

Atromitos FC

• (2) Greek Cup: Runner-Up Greek Cup 2010-11,2011–12

References

1. "Performance Analysis Sokratis Fytanidis". ask4sports.eu.
2. Metrosport.gr
3. "Fytanidis signs Atromitos extension". footballhellas.com. 2013-06-20.
4. Στα πράσινα ο Φυτανίδης (in Greek). sentragoal.gr. 2013-05-02.
5. "Fytanidis signs Atromitos extension". Atromitos FC official club website.
6. "Έμεινε και ο Φυτανίδης". www.sport24.gr.
7. Νέο πρόσωπο στην Εθνική Ελλάδας ο Φυτανίδης (in Greek). agelioforos.gr. 2013-02-01.

External links

• Guardian profile