Australian soccer player Terry Antonis has signed a three-year deal with Greek soccer team PAOK F.C. after a five-year spell at the Australian Sydney F.C.
Antonis, who is of Greek descent, played 69 games and scored five goals as a midfield player for Sydney, since first joining the team back in 2010.
PAOK is from the northern city of Thessaloniki and claimed the third place in last year’s Greek Superleague. This season, aside from expecting to contend for the Greek domestic competitions, the team will also play in the Europa League.
Sydney F.C. confirmed that earlier in the week Antonis flew to Thessaloniki where he successfully completed a medical examination for PAOK.
“For me PAOK is an excellent team, with great people, great players and amazing fans,” Antonis said during an interview with PAOK TV. “When I was presented with the opportunity, I wanted to come play in my homeland, from where my grandparents and my parents are. I feel privileged to be here and it is my honor to play for PAOK. My grandfather and grandmother have told me many stories and now that I am here I see what they have been telling me. Greece is a beautiful country with nice people and PAOK is a big team.”
The 21-year-old had thanked Sydney F.C. for taking him in at just 16 years of age as well as his coaching staff, teammates and fans for their constant support throughout his career.
“I’m sad to be leaving such a great club who have been like a family to me as I have grown up, and they will always hold a special place in my heart,” he noted.
Graham Arnold, Sydney F.C. manager, praised Antonis’s services to the club as well as Sydney F.C.’s ability to produce young talented soccer players like Antonis.
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