Terry Antonis
{{short description|Australian soccer player|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2011}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Terry Antonis
| image = Terry Antonis in 2013.jpg
| upright = 0.9
| caption = Antonis playing for Australia U20 in 2013
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|11|26|df=y}}{{cite web|title=Terry Antonis|url=http://www.paokfc.gr/en/profiles/terry-antonis/|publisher=PAOK FC|access-date=10 July 2016|archive-date=1 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801101956/http://www.paokfc.gr/en/profiles/terry-antonis/|url-status=dead}}
| birth_place = Bankstown, Sydney, Australia
| height = 1.80 m{{cite web|title=Terry Antonis|url=https://www.melbournevictory.com.au/player/terry-antonis|website=melbournevictory.com.au|publisher=Melbourne Victory|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214061423/https://www.melbournevictory.com.au/player/terry-antonis|url-status=dead}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Uthai Thani
| clubnumber = 24
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = St Christopher’s
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Sydney Olympic
| youthyears3 =
| youthclubs3 = Marconi Stallions
| youthyears4 = 2007–2009
| youthclubs4 = NSWIS
| youthyears5 = 2009–2010
| youthclubs5 = AIS
| years1 = 2010–2015
| clubs1 = Sydney FC
| caps1 = 69
| goals1 = 5
| years2 = 2015–2017
| clubs2 = PAOK
| caps2 = 4
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2016
| clubs3 = → Veria (loan)
| caps3 = 1
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2017
| clubs4 = → Western Sydney Wanderers (loan)
| caps4 = 11
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2017–2018
| clubs5 = VVV-Venlo
| caps5 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2018–2019
| clubs6 = Melbourne Victory
| caps6 = 40
| goals6 = 5
| years7 = 2019–2021
| clubs7 = Suwon Samsung Bluewings
| caps7 = 31
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2021–2023
| clubs8 = Western Sydney Wanderers
| caps8 = 21
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2023–2024
| clubs9 = Melbourne City
| caps9 = 22
| goals9 = 5
| years10 = 2024–
| clubs10 = Uthai Thani
| caps10 = 17
| goals10 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2008–2010
| nationalteam1 = Australia U17
| nationalcaps1 = 11
| nationalgoals1 = 3
| nationalyears2 = 2010–2013
| nationalteam2 = Australia U20
| nationalcaps2 = 19
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalyears3 = 2016
| nationalteam3 = Australia U23
| nationalcaps3 = 3
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2012–2015
| nationalteam4 = Australia
| nationalcaps4 = 3
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 11 February 2025
| nationalteam-update = 20 January 2016
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|AUS}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's Association football}}
{{MedalCompetition|AFC Asian Cup}}
{{Medal|W|2015 Australia|}}
{{Medal|Competition|AFC U-20 Asian Cup}}
{{Medal|RU|2010 China|}}
}}
Lefteris "Terry" Antonis ({{langx|el|Λευτέρης "Τέρι" Αντώνης}};[http://www.superleaguegreece.net/el/teams/team/paok-fc-397/2015-2016-superleague-52/players/leuteris-antonis-2624 superleaguegreece.net ΛΕΥΤΕΡΗΣ ΑΝΤΩΝΗΣ] born 26 November 1993) is an Australian soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Thai League 1 side Uthai Thani.
Born in Sydney, Antonis played youth football at the Australian Institute of Sport before making his professional debut for Sydney FC at sixteen years of age.
Antonis has played for Australia on three occasions and was a member of the squad which won the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. He previously represented Australia frequently at youth level, including at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
A versatile player, Antonis can play as a box-to-box, holding or attacking midfielder, though he is best deployed in deeper roles, where he can create play with his extensive passing range.{{cite web|last1=Harrington|first1=Anna|title=Mark Milligan moves to Al-Ahli: What it means for his Socceroos prospects and Melbourne Victory|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/teams/melbourne-victory/mark-milligan-moves-to-alahli-what-it-means-for-his-socceroos-prospects-and-melbourne-victory/news-story/4ab9dc3005d8fe1a36a0b059743636b1?nk=976d93b5b3f1a23d839ac5573eca069b-1522845547|website=Fox Sports Australia|date=28 January 2018 |publisher=News Corp|access-date=4 April 2018}}
Early life
Antonis was born in the suburb of Bankstown, Sydney, and is of Greek descent. His brother George Antonis is also a professional soccer player.{{cite web |last1=Sygall |first1=David |title='I was at Inter when I was 12' |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/i-was-at-inter-when-i-was-12-20100724-10phv.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=19 November 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231119100000/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/i-was-at-inter-when-i-was-12-20100724-10phv.html |archive-date=19 November 2023 |language=en |date=24 July 2010}}
He first received media attention in Australia at the age of 10 by winning a football talent competition on the Channel 7 television show Today Tonight, which resulted in a trip to Madrid to make a training skills DVD with David Beckham.{{cite news|title=Pack your bags, son, if you want to be the next Harry|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/pack-your-bags-son-if-you-want-to-be-the-next-harry/2006/09/09/1157222385912.html|date=9 September 2006|work=Sunday Morning Herald}} Frank Farina, former Socceroos coach and judge of the Channel 7 competition said: "His juggling is very good, he pulled out a squash ball and started juggling that and didn't drop it once, he is very impressive."{{cite news|last=Tugwell|first=Nikki|title=Football Freak|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=25 October 2005}} He also obtained a sponsorship from Adidas because of his exceptional juggling skills.{{cite news|title=Tyro Terry ready to bend it for Beckham|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/01/17/1073878077197.html?from=storyrhs|date=17 January 2004|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}
Former Australian international Alex Tobin described him as "one of the most outstanding young players that I have seen" and "of immense talent without a doubt." He has also been touted as natural successor to Tim Cahill and Brett Holman in the Australian national team.{{cite news|title=Australia has a host of talent waiting in wings|url=http://www.theage.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/australia-has-a-host-of-talent-waiting-in-wings-20100626-zazn.html|date=26 October 2010|publisher=The Age | location=Melbourne | first=David | last=Sygall}}
Antonis holds both an Australian and Greek passport.{{cite news
|url= http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/socceroos-rankings-rise-leads-young-stars-to-english-premier-league/story-fnlpdr1y-1227221935310 |title= Socceroos rankings rise leads young stars to English Premier League |work= The Australian |publisher= News Corp Australia |date= 17 February 2015 |first= David |last= Davutovic |access-date= 17 February 2015}}
Early career
Antonis began his football career at St Christopher's Soccer Club in Bankstown before moving to Sydney Olympic and Marconi.[http://www.sydneyfc.com/article/sydney-fc-visits-st-christophers-sc/150jiihmo958i1aroasqnycj6l Sydney FC visits St Christopher’s S.C]
Antonis signed a five-year contract with Everton at just 14 years of age, but his contract was terminated due to FIFA's rule prohibiting the overseas transfers of players under the age of 18.[http://fairfield-advance.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/soccer-wonder-grasps-dream/ Soccer wonder grasps dream]
Club career
=Sydney FC=
On 22 June 2010, Antonis made his debut for Sydney in a friendly game against Macarthur Rams at Campbelltown Stadium.{{cite web|title=Sky Blues down Macarthur Rams 1-0|url=http://www.sydneyfc.com/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=33973|date=22 June 2010|publisher=SydneyFC.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301035547/http://www.sydneyfc.com/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=33973|archive-date=1 March 2011}} On 5 July 2010, Sydney signed him to a three-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/170944,sweet-sixteen-terry-joins-fc.aspx|title=Sweet Sixteen Terry Joins FC|date=5 June 2010|publisher=FourFourTwo Australia|access-date=5 July 2010|archive-date=18 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018075405/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/170944,sweet-sixteen-terry-joins-fc.aspx|url-status=dead}}
Antonis made his competitive debut for Sydney FC in a 2–1 loss to Wellington Phoenix on 11 September 2010. Antonis scored his first goal for Sydney FC on 16 February 2013 against Adelaide United.
After rupturing a muscle in his thigh, Antonis was out for 9 months, which thwarted his move overseas. In February 2014, he scored against Perth Glory in his first game since returning from injury.
=Speculation and trials=
After signing with Sydney FC, he was linked with possible moves to Everton, Inter Milan and Marseille.{{cite web|title=Everton lead the pack chasing teenage star |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/football/everton-lead-the-pack-chasing-teenage-star-20100626-zaqr.html|date=26 June 2010|work=Brisbane Times}} Much of the speculation was based on his close personal ties with Everton and Socceroo star Tim Cahill,[http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/young-gun-antonis-against-hero-cahill-20100705-zxei.html Young gun Antonis against hero Cahill][http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/terry-antonis-snares-tim-cahills-shirt-after-debut-for-sydney-fc-against-everton/story-e6frg7mf-1225890486318 Terry Antonis snares Tim Cahill's shirt after debut for Sydney FC against Everton] further sparked by a 25-minute cameo in a friendly match for Sydney FC against Everton at ANZ Stadium on 10 July 2010.[http://www.sydneyfc.com/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=34170 Gallant Sky Blues go down 1-0 to Everton] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225175655/http://www.sydneyfc.com/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=34170 |date=25 February 2011 }} In February 2012, Antonis reiterated his commitment to Sydney FC and the remainder of his three-year contract, stating that he was more than happy being at the club.{{cite news|title=Sydney FC stars Terry Antonis and Mitch Mallia on A-League, FIFA 12 and more|url=http://eftm.com.au/2012/02/sydney-fc-stars-terry-antonis-and-mitch-mallia-on-a-league-fifa-12-and-more-3910|date=16 February 2012|publisher=EFTM - Everything for the man}}
In April 2012, Antonis travelled to Germany to trial with Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach as a potential replacement for Roman Neustadter.{{Cite web |url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/238093,antonis-set-for-german-trial.aspx |title=Antonis Set for German Trial |access-date=26 April 2012 |archive-date=5 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105044727/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/238093,antonis-set-for-german-trial.aspx |url-status=dead }} but was not signed.
At the conclusion of the 2012–13 season, Antonis was approached by Dutch club FC Utrecht for a trial, but signed a four-year deal with Italian Serie A club Parma instead[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/young-sydney-fc-midfielder-terry-antonis-attracts-interest-from-parma-as-alessandro-del-piero-named-player-of-the-year/story-fndcv8ir-1226616226238 Young Sydney Fc Midfielder Terry Antonis Attracts Interest From Parma As Alessandro Del Piero Named Player Of The Year] The Daily Telegraph {{dead link|date=May 2023}} after Parma triggered a release clause in his contract with Sydney.{{cite web |url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1147764/Antonis-seals-dream-Parma-deal |title=Antonis seals dream Parma deal : A League : The World Game on SBS |access-date=18 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418093626/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1147764/Antonis-seals-dream-Parma-deal |archive-date=18 April 2013}} However, the deal never went through and Antonis returned to Sydney FC.{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/joel-griffiths-to-quit-sydney-fc-for-new-stint-china/story-fn63e0vj-1226679849699 | work=The Australian | title=Joel Griffiths to quit Sydney FC for new stint China | date=15 July 2013}}
=PAOK=
The 21-year-old returned to Sydney from preseason camp on the Gold Coast with News Corp reporting a $500,000 bid for the midfielder from PAOK FC.{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/sydney-fcs-terry-antonis-on-verge-of-transfer-to-greek-club-paok-fc-report-20150811-giwdyo.html| title=Sydney FC's Terry Antonis on verge of transfer to Greek club PAOK FC: report| date=11 August 2015}}
Greek sources stated that Antonis spoke at length with former Danish international and Technical Director of PAOK Frank Arnesen on the prospects of completing the move to his ancestral country and the planning of PAOK's title aspirations that season.
Antonis made his debut for PAOK in the Greek Cup match away to Chania on 3 December 2015, coming on as a 64th-minute substitute for Eyal Golasa. He made his Greek Super League debut on 21 February 2016 away to Panathinaikos as an 84th-minute replacement for Giannis Mystakidis.
==Loan to Veria==
After failing to break into the starting team at PAOK, Antonis moved to Greek Super League outfit Veria FC, coached by Georgios Georgiadis, a former PAOK favourite as a player.{{cite news| url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/paok-set-to-loan-terry-antonis-out-immediately-to-fellow-greek-club-veira-fc/story-fnk6pqot-1227479633075| title=PAOK set to loan Terry Antonis out immediately to fellow Greek club Veria FC| date=11 August 2015}}{{cite news| url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/08/12/antonis-assured-future-paok| title=Antonis assured of future by PAOK| date=12 August 2015}} Antonis signed a one-year loan deal with Veria on 31 August 2016.
{{cite news| url=http://inpaok.com/318039/%CE%B1%CE%BD%CF%84%CF%8E%CE%BD%CE%B7%CF%82-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B1-%CE%B3%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%86%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%B1-%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CE%B2%CE%AD%CF%81%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%B1/|title=Στην Τούμπα για Βέροια ο Άντονις}} He made his first appearance on 16 October 2016 as an 88th-minute substitute for Sisinio González Martínez in an away match at Atromitos.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/16/greece/super-league/pae-aps-atromitos-athens/veria-fc/2361764/|title=ATROMITOS VS. VERIA 1 - 0|access-date=25 May 2020}}
==Loan to Western Sydney Wanderers==
As at PAOK, he struggled to break into a starting position, and was returned to PAOK only to be immediately loaned to Western Sydney Wanderers FC for the remainder of the 2016–17 A-League season.{{cite news| url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/article/transfer-news-caltex-socceroos-midfielder-terry-antonis-joins-western-sydney-wanderers/1qe7zbvsganof1r0v8di21w526| title=Transfer news: Wanderers sign Caltex Socceroo| date=30 December 2016|access-date=30 December 2016}}
He made his debut for the Wanderers in an away match against the Brisbane Roar on 28 January 2017 as a 77th minute substitute for Mitch Nichols.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/01/28/australia/a-league/brisbane-roar-fc/west-sydney-fc/2238960/|title=BRISBANE ROAR VS. WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS 2 - 1|access-date=25 May 2020}}
=VVV-Venlo=
After his short-lived loan spell with the Wanderers, PAOK made it clear to Antonis that he wasn't in their plans. On 8 July 2017, it was announced that Antonis had signed with Dutch Eredivisie side VVV-Venlo on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2017/07/08/antonis-joins-eredivisie-side-vvv-venlo|title=Antonis joins Eredivisie side VVV-Venlo|publisher=SBS|work=The World Game|date=8 July 2017}}
=Melbourne Victory=
Released by VVV-Venlo on 3 January 2018 without having made a single league appearance for the club, Antonis then signed a 2.5-year contract with Melbourne Victory of the A-League{{cite web|url=https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2018/01/03/victory-sign-antonis-and-djulbic|title=Victory sign Antonis and Djulbic|publisher=SBS|work=The World Game|date=3 January 2018}} where he made 40 appearances before moving on yet again, to Suwon Samsung Bluewings of the K-League.
=Return to Western Sydney Wanderers=
On 25 July 2021, Antonis signed a three-year deal with the Western Sydney Wanderers.{{cite web |title=Antonis returns |url=https://www.wswanderersfc.com.au/news/antonis-returns |website=Western Sydney Wanderers |date=25 July 2021 |access-date=25 July 2021}} His first season he often alternated between starting and coming off the bench. Following the replacement of coach Carl Robinson with Marko Rudan, Antonis was frozen out by club leadership in an effort to force him to agree to leave the club which would free up salary cap room and his squad position.
On 24 May 2023, it was announced that his contract with Western Sydney Wanderers had been terminated effective immediately.{{cite web|url=https://wswanderersfc.com.au/news/antonis-departs|title=Antonis departs|website=Western Sydney Wanderers|date=24 May 2023}}
=Melbourne City=
Antonis joined Melbourne City ahead of the 2023–24 A-League season.{{cite web|url=https://melbournecityfc.com.au/news/20230706-antonis-signs|title=Terry Antonis joins City ahead of 2023-24 season|website=Melbourne City FC|date=6 July 2023}} He became the first player to play professionally for all four Melbourne and Sydney derby teams, beating Josh Brillante by a matter of days{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CuV_hCGPG-p/ | title=Australian Football News ⚽️🇦🇺 on Instagram: "Despite our last post, Terry Antonis is officially the first player to play for all 4 Melbourne and Sydney derby teams, joining Melbourne City on a one-year deal. He will beat Josh Brillante to the record, by a matter of days, who is expected to be announced later this week." }}
International career
File:Terry Antonis free kick 2013.jpg in 2013.]]
Antonis was part of the final squad for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup but he did not get any actual game time during the tournament.
On 23 December 2015, Antonis was included to Australia U-23 national team manager's Aurelio Vidmar selections for Olympic Games 2016 qualifiers, which took place in Doha.[http://www.sdna.gr/news-english/article/149435/antonis-called-australia-u-23-national-team Antonis called up to Australia U-23 national team]
Career statistics
{{updated|26 March 2023}}
| 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"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="3"|Total | |||||||
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="6"|Sydney FC
|rowspan=5|A-League |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 2011–12
|19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 19 | 0 | |
| 2012–13
|16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 1 | |
| 2013–14
|10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 2 | |
| 2014–15
|19 | 2 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!69 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 5 |
| rowspan="1"|PAOK
|4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| rowspan="1"|Veria (loan)
|Superleague Greece |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |
| Western Sydney Wanderers (loan)
|A-League |11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 3 |
| rowspan="1"|VVV-Venlo
|0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 1 | |
| rowspan="3"|Melbourne Victory
|rowspan="2"|A-League |17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 22 | 1 |
| 2018–19
|26 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 31 | 4 |
| colspan="2"|Total!
!43 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 53 | 5 |
| rowspan="4"|Suwon Samsung Bluewings
|2019 |rowspan="3"|K League 1 |11 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 0 | |
| 2020
|16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 1 |
| 2021
|4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!31 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 40 | 1 |
| rowspan="3"|Western Sydney Wanderers
|rowspan="2"|A-League Men |21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 1 | |
| 2022–23
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 |
| Melbourne City
|A-League Men |22 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 5 |
| Uthai Thani
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!203 | 17 | 21 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 239 | 21 |
Honours
Melbourne Victory
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Australia
- AFC Asian Cup: 2015{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/news/afc_asian_cup_australia_2015_squads_in_full.html|title=AFC Asian Cup 2015, Australian Squad|access-date=October 14, 2024}}
Australia U-20
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{soccerway|terry-antonis/148952}}
- {{FIFA player|333022}}
- {{UEFA player|250087311}}
- {{K League player|20190369}}
{{Australia squad 2015 AFC Asian Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Antonis, Terry}}
Category:Australian people of Greek descent
Category:Sportspeople of Greek descent
Category:Sportsmen from New South Wales
Category:Australian men's soccer players
Category:Soccer players from Sydney
Category:Australia men's international soccer players
Category:Australia men's youth international soccer players
Category:Australia men's under-20 international soccer players
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:AFC Asian Cup–winning players
Category:2015 AFC Asian Cup players
Category:Super League Greece players
Category:Australian Institute of Sport soccer players
Category:Western Sydney Wanderers FC players
Category:Melbourne Victory FC players
Category:Suwon Samsung Bluewings players
Category:Melbourne City FC players
Category:Australian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Greece
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in South Korea