Christos Aravidis
{{Short description|Greek footballer (born 1987)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Christos Aravidis
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname = Christos Aravidis
| height = {{height|m=1.77}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|3|13|df=y}}
| birth_place = Athens, Greece
| currentclub = Kentavros Vrilissia
| clubnumber =
| position = Forward
| youthyears1 = 2002–2004
| youthclubs1 = Akratitos
| years1 = 2004–2006
| clubs1 = Akratitos
| caps1 = 23
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2006–2009
| clubs2 = Panionios
| caps2 = 50
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2008–2009
| clubs3 = → Ethnikos Asteras (loan)
| caps3 = 23
| goals3 = 3
| years4 = 2009–2011
| clubs4 = Aris
| caps4 = 13
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2011–2012
| clubs5 = Doxa Dramas
| caps5 = 25
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2012–2014
| clubs6 = Panionios
| caps6 = 55
| goals6 = 20
| years7 = 2014–2017
| clubs7 = AEK Athens
| caps7 = 76
| goals7 = 29
| years8 = 2018–2019
| clubs8 = OFI
| caps8 = 9
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2019
| clubs9 = Asteras Tripolis
| caps9 = 11
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2019–2020
| clubs10 = Yverdon
| caps10 = 15
| goals10 = 6
| years11 = 2020
| clubs11 = Lamia
| caps11 = 6
| goals11 = 2
| years12 = 2020–2021
| clubs12 = Panachaiki
| caps12 = 20
| goals12 = 6
| years13 = 2021–2022
| clubs13 = Levadiakos
| caps13 = 2
| goals13 = 0
| years14 = 2022–2023
| clubs14 = Apollon Pontus
| caps14 = 17
| goals14 = 1
| years15 = 2024–
| clubs15 = Kentavros Vrilissia
| caps15 = 7
| goals15 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2003–2004
| nationalteam1 = Greece U17
| nationalcaps1 = 8
| nationalgoals1 = 3
| nationalyears2 = 2005
| nationalteam2 = Greece U19
| nationalcaps2 = 8
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2006–2007
| nationalteam3 = Greece U21
| nationalcaps3 = 11
| nationalgoals3 = 4
| nationalyears4 = 2015–2016
| nationalteam4 = Greece
| nationalcaps4 = 5
| nationalgoals4 = 1
| pcupdate = 15 June 2023
| ntupdate = 22:18, 10 June 2016 (UTC)
}}
Christos Aravidis ({{langx|el|Χρήστος Αραβίδης}}; born 13 March 1987) is a Greek professional footballer who plays as a forward.
Early life
It was at the age of 7,5 when Aravidis first visited the academies of AEK Athens. "In the beginning was just fun after a game became a passion," he recalls, when his father and ex-football player unknowingly motivated his son to deal with football. "My father was a footballer and through him I loved football."
Club career
=Akratitos=
His steps in football seemed always carefully and selectively. After playing in the Football League for Akratitos, he made his debut in the Super League Greece with the club at the age of 18,5 against AEK Athens. He scored his first goal in the major league in a match against OFI and he was constantly selected in the Greece U-21 team.
=Panionios=
He signed a three-year contract with Panionios. Ewald Lienen, the new coach of Panionios was presented a few days ago, and the 19 years' old had to fight to find time in the first major challenge of his career. He succeeded beyond any expectation. Became a member of the starting XI and had a striking appearance in Thessaloniki against Aris with one goal and assist, and ended his first season in the club having 30 appearances and two goals, but after December he gradually lost his position in the team. The scene was similar the next season besides the 26 appearances and three goals.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/stili/oi-prwtagwnistes/article/659891/o-kyklos-toy-hristoy-aravidi|title=Ο κύκλος του Χρήστου Αραβίδη!|publisher=gazzetta.gr|language=Greek}}
==Loan to Ethnikos Asteras==
Aravidis joined Ethnikos Asteras on loan{{cite web|url=http://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/EthnikosAsteras/article319976.ece|title=Δανεικός στον Εθνικό Αστέρα ο Αραβίδης|publisher=sport24.gr|language=Greek|date=12 August 2008}} until the end of the 2008–2009 season on summer of 2008. In April 2009 he filed an appeal against the Ethnikos Asteras, as he played almost entirely unpaid and at the end of the season being released from Panionios, will search the new challenge in his career.
=Aris=
Aris offered him the opportunity to make a step further, by signing a three-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.arisfc.gr/gr/660.html|title=Υπέγραψε για τρία χρόνια ο Χρήστος Αραβίδης|publisher=arisfc.gr|language=Greek|date=2 July 2009|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923173644/http://www.arisfc.gr/gr/660.html|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}} But in Aris neither Mazinho in the beginning, nor Héctor Cúper trusted him and Aravidis succeeded to make only 13 appearances with the club, in almost two years. "The fact is that I did not get the opportunities I deserve. Prior to Aris I had a good football path, which I will try to keep it. This is football and there is no problem. Not always all come as you want." In August 2012 he filed an appeal against Aris, as he played almost entirely unpaid.{{cite web|url=http://www.sentragoal.gr/article.asp?catid=10584&subid=2&pubid=129131193|title=Προσφυγή και ο Αραβίδης στον Αρη |publisher=sentragoal.gr|language=Greek|date=12 August 2008}} asking for the subtraction of two points due to the debt to him.{{cite web|url=http://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/Aris/zhtaei-afairesh-2-vathmwn-ston-arh-o-aravidhs.2522876.html|title=Ζητάει αφαίρεση 2 βαθμών στον Άρη ο Αραβίδης |publisher=sport24.gr|language=Greek|date=26 November 2013}}
=Doxa Drama=
Doxa Drama was the next step in his career. In October 2012 he filed his third appeal (after Ethnikos Asteras and Aris) against the Doxa Drama as there was a private agreement for bonus participations and rentals that never received.{{cite web|url=http://dramagoal.gr/portal/?p=18975|title=Αγωγή του Αραβίδη κατά της ΔΟΞΑΣ!!!|website=dramagoal.gr|language=el|date=26 October 2012}}
=Return to Panionios=
In the 2012–13 season became the club's top scorer with 8 goals, contributing in their promotion to Super League. Eventually over the years he made 112 appearances (24 goals, 8 assists) with Panionios.
=AEK Athens=
On 31 January 2014, besides the rumours for PAOK and Panathinaikos, Aravidis decided to play for AEK Athens in Football League at the end of 2013-14 season by signing a three years' contract, when the team was in Football League and since then is a first team option.{{cite web|url=http://www.nooz.gr/sports/pairnei-aravidi-i-aek|script-title=el:Παίρνει Αραβίδη η ΑΕΚ!|website=nooz.gr|language=el|accessdate=31 January 2014}} Aravidis at the end of 2014-15 season, in the few minutes that he played against Alimos, typically secured the lead in the list of scorers of the Southern Group of the Football League, with 13 goals.{{cite web |url=http://www.sdna.gr/gr/podosfairo/football-league/aek/article/27816/aravidis-protoi-opos-mas-axizei/|title=Αραβίδης: "Πρώτοι, όπως μας αξίζει" |publisher=sdna.gr |language=el|date=4 April 2015 |access-date=31 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407002535/http://www.sdna.gr/gr/podosfairo/football-league/aek/article/27816/aravidis-protoi-opos-mas-axizei/ |archive-date=7 April 2015 |url-status=dead }} On 22 August 2015, in a 3–0 home game against Platanias scored his first goal in Greek Super League with AEK.
"Fans will be satisfied if we win the championship. We want the best possible result. If we continue to work hard we'll manage something. Our targets are the Greek Cup and the championship. AEK Athens is a huge club and we returned where we belong to. The match against PAOK is a big game that all fans should enjoy it. We'll try for the best. It's always nice to play with full stands" Aravidis said.{{cite web|url=http://www.sdna.gr/news-english/article/114164/aravidis-ambitious-aek|title= Aravidis ambitious with AEK!|publisher=sdna.gr|accessdate=15 September 2014}} On 23 September 2015, he opened the score in an away derby game against PAOK, but his club could not avoid the defeat. Christos Aravidis is set to become the next AEK player to sign a new deal at the club. AEK are set to offer Christos Aravidis a new deal. as are very pleased with Aravidis's displays, with the current one expiring in 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.onsports.gr/Podosfairo/Super-League/item/524506-Skepseis-gia-epektasi-kai-toy-symvolaioy-toy-Aravidi-stin-AEK?v8 |title= Σκέψεις για επέκταση και του συμβολαίου του Αραβίδη στην ΑΕΚ! |publisher=onsports.gr |accessdate=24 March 2016}}
On 20 December 2016, in a home Super League game against PAS Giannina was then sent off in the 10th minute of the game after headbutting Thodoris Berios in the chest. On 12 March 2017 he scored the last goal of AEK in the 3–0 home "double-headed eagle" derby against PAOK.{{Cite news|url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/football/article/1057746/aek-paok-3-0|title=Μέγας τρι-Αραούχο και θαυμαστά τα έργα του!|access-date=2017-03-12|language=el}} On 6 April 2017 he scored the second goal in his club effort to win a place in season playoffs sealing a 2–0 away win against Platanias F.C.{{Cite news|url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/football/article/1068490/platanias-aek-0-2 |title=Πλατανιάς - ΑΕΚ 0-2|access-date=2017-04-06|language=el}}
On 7 June 2017, AEK officially announced that the contract of international striker will be solved.{{cite web|url=http://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/Superleague/aek/telos-o-aravidhs-apo-thn-aek.4710919.html |title= Τέλος ο Αραβίδης από την ΑΕΚ! |publisher=contra.gr |accessdate=7 June 2017}} Aravidis had 96 appearances (34 goals, 9 assists) in all competitions with the club.
=OFI=
On 7 August 2018, Aravidis, after a year without a club, completed a free transfer move to Greek Super League side OFI on a year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/Ofi/anakoinwse-aravidh-o-ofh.5281067.html |title= Ανακοίνωσε Αραβίδη ο ΟΦΗ |publisher=sport24.gr |accessdate=7 August 2018}} On 30 October 2018, Aravidis scored after a long period (572 days to be exact) a hat-trick against Niki Volos in a 3–0 home Greek Cup game.{{cite web|url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/GreekCup/ofh-nikh-voloy-3-0-vhma-prokrishs-me-xat-trik-aravidh.5350388.html |title= ΟΦΗ - Νίκη Βόλου 3-0: Βήμα πρόκρισης με χατ-τρικ Αραβίδη |publisher=sport24.gr |accessdate=30 October 2018}}
=Asteras Tripolis=
On 4 February 2019, after six months with OFI, Aravidis signed a six months contract with Asteras Tripolis for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/AsterasTripolis/asteras-ypegrapse-o-aravidhs.5430880.html |title= Υπέγραψε ο Αραβίδης στον Αστέρα |publisher=sport24.gr |accessdate=4 February 2019}} On 17 February 2019, he scored his first goal with the club in a 4–1 home Greek Cup win against Ergotelis.{{cite web|url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/GreekCup/asteras-ergotelhs-4-1-prokrish-se-14-lepta-gia-toys-arkades.5451045.html |title=Αστέρας - Εργοτέλης 4-1: Πρόκριση σε 14 λεπτά για τους Αρκάδες |publisher=sport24.gr |accessdate=27 February 2019}}
=Yverdon=
On 29 July 2019 he signed a one-year contract with third-tier Swiss club Yverdon.{{cite web |title=Officiel : Christos Aravidis est yverdonnois! |url=https://www.yverdonsport.ch/officiel-christos-aravidis-est-yverdonnois/ |website=yverdonsport.ch |accessdate=29 July 2019 |location=Online |language=French}}
The 32-year-old forward was absolutely crucial for the club, after scoring six goals in 15 games and helping the Swiss team get a great distance in its effort to gain the promotion. For this reason, the management of Yverdon decided to terminate the contract with the experienced striker in order to save the rest of his contract, and the Greek international received a good amount of compensation as he had a contract until the summer of 2021.{{cite web |title=Officiel : Ο Αραβίδης επιστρέφει στην Ελλάδα |url=http://www.palo.gr/eidhseis-ellada/o-aravidis-epistrefei-stin-ellada/23807940/ |website=www.palo.gr |accessdate=27 January 2020 |language=Greek}}
=Lamia=
On 14 February 2020 he signed a contract with Super League 1 club Lamia, until the end of the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |title=Λαμία: Ανακοίνωσε τον Αραβίδη |url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/Lamia/lamia-anakoinwse-ton-aravidh.5682329.html |website=www.sport24.gr |accessdate=14 February 2020 |language=Greek}} On 22 February 2020, he scored a brace in his debut in a 2–2 home draw game against Aris.{{cite web |title=Λαμία - Άρης 2-2: Άγγιξε ανατροπή και playoffs |url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/SuperLeague/lamia-arhs-2-2-afhse-th-doyleia-sth-mesh.5685444.html |website=www.sport24.gr |accessdate=22 February 2020 |language=Greek}}
=Panachaiki=
On 17 August 2020 he signed a contract with Super League 2 club Panachaiki.{{Cite web|url=https://lamiaole.gr/2020/08/17/episima-stin-panachaiki-o-aravidis/|title=Επίσημα στην Παναχαϊκή ο Αραβίδης!|date=3 September 2020|website=lamiaole.gr|language=el}}
International career
Aravidis has a plural international career in youth Greece squads. On 4 September 2015 he made his debut for Greece in a home game for UEFA against Finland in Piraeus. On 8 October 2015 in just his 3rd cap, he scored his first ever goal for Greece by scoring their only goal in a 3–1 away defeat to Northern Ireland in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match in Belfast.
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|11 October 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | |||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals | |||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Akratitos
|12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2005–06
|11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!23 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 1 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Panionios
|rowspan="2"|Super League Greece |28 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 2 | ||
| 2007–08
|22 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2{{efn|name=UEFA Cup|Appearances in UEFA Cup}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 3 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!50 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0||colspan="2"|—||56 | 5 | |||
| Ethnikos Asteras
|23 | 3 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 3 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Aris
|rowspan="2"|Super League Greece |9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 0 | ||
| Doxa Dramas
|24 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 1 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Panionios
|rowspan="2"|Super League Greece |25 | 8 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 8 | ||
| 2013–14
|30 | 12 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 12 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!55 | 20 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 60 | 20 | ||
| rowspan="4"|AEK Athens
|29 | 17 | 9 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 38 | 20 | ||
| 2015–16
|rowspan="2"|Superleague Greece |34 | 9 | 7 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 41 | 11 | ||
| 2016–17
|13 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League qualifiers}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 3 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!76 | 29 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 93 | 34 | |
| OFI
|9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 1 | ||
| Asteras Tripolis
|11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 0 | ||
| Yverdon
|15 | 6 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 6 | ||
| Lamia
|6 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 2 | |||
| Panachaiki
|20 | 6 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 6 | |||
| Levadiakos
|2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||
| Apollon Pontus
|17 | 1 | 5 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 2 | ||
| Kentavros Vrilissia
|7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 1 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!351 | 75 | 44 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 396 | 82 |
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
=International=
{{updated|7 June 2016}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|colspan="5"|Greece | ||
| Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 |
| Total||5||1 |
=International goals=
| class="wikitable"
! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition | ||||||
| 1. | 8 October 2015 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | {{fb|NIR}} | align=center | 3–1 | align=center | 3–1 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualification |
Honours
;AEK Athens
;Levadiakos
Individual
- Football League top scorer: 2014–15
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110817135811/http://guardian.touch-line.com/?CTID=31&CPID=76&TEID=673&PLID=196110&pStr=Player Guardian's Stats Centre]
{{Football League Greece footballer of the year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aravidis, Christos}}
Category:Greek expatriate men's footballers
Category:Greece men's youth international footballers
Category:Greece men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Greece men's international footballers
Category:Super League Greece players
Category:Football League (Greece) players
Category:Delta Ethniki players
Category:Swiss Promotion League players
Category:Super League Greece 2 players
Category:A.P.O. Akratitos Ano Liosia players
Category:Panionios F.C. players
Category:Ethnikos Asteras F.C. players
Category:Aris Thessaloniki F.C. players
Category:Doxa Drama F.C. players
Category:AEK Athens F.C. players
Category:OFI Crete F.C. players
Category:Asteras Tripolis F.C. players
Category:Yverdon-Sport FC players
Category:PAS Lamia 1964 players
Category:Panachaiki F.C. players
Category:Levadiakos F.C. players
Category:Apollon Kalamarias F.C. players
Category:Greek expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Switzerland
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Footballers from Athens