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Sotirios Kyrgiakos

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Sotirios Kyrgiakos
Personal information
Full name Sotirios Kyrgiakos
Date of birth (1979-07-23) 23 July 1979 (age 45)
Place of birth Trikala, Greece
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre back
Team information
Current team
 VfL Wolfsburg
Youth career
1996–1998 Panathinaikos
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2005 Panathinaikos 60 (5)
1999–2001 → Agios Nikolaos (loan) 53 (3)
2005–2006 Rangers 43 (1)
2006–2008 Eintracht Frankfurt 51 (8)
2008–2009 AEK Athens 20 (0)
2009–2011 Liverpool 30 (3)
2011– VfL Wolfsburg 7 (0)
2012 → Sunderland (loan) 2 (0)
International career‡
2002–2010 Greece 61 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 02:12, 21 December 2011 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 6 March 2011

Sotirios Kyrgiakos (Template:Lang-el) (born 23 July 1979) is a Greek footballer who plays for Wolfsburg as a central defender. He has also been deployed as a centre forward when his team have required an aerial threat in attack. He is known for his powerful heading.

Club career

Kyrgiakos made his first football steps with a local team, Thyella Megalochoriou. It did not take long for him to be recognized. At the start of the 1996–97 season he became a member of the Panathinaikos football academy. He is well known as alani. He lived and played football at the Paiania athletic complex, the club's training ground. In the wake of the 1999–2000 season he became a member of Agios Nikolaos, a second division club and won the respect of president Lampros Maris whom Kyrgiakos considers as his second father. He stayed with Agios Nikolaos for two years and in 2001 he took part in the pre-season camp at OFI Crete. The centre-back injuries at his parent club, Panathinaikos, just before the Third Qualifying round matches with Slavia Prague for the 2000–01 Champions League meant that he had to return to Paiania and become a regular member of the starting line-up. In the 2003–04 season, Kyrgiakos won with Panathinaikos the Greek League and Greek Cup against the eternal rival Olympiakos.

Rangers

The following January, he joined Rangers during the 2004–05 season with a view to a permanent deal. With his new club he won a second consecutive championship and also the Scottish League Cup scoring two goals in the 5–1 win against Motherwell in the final.[2] He initially failed to agree terms with Rangers and held talks with Everton, Portsmouth and Schalke and the Italian club Genoa before finally agreeing a one-year deal with Rangers.[3] He scored a famous winning goal against F.C. Porto in the UEFA Champions League that year,[4] and ended the season with three goals after also scoring against Peterhead in the Scottish Cup[5] and Dunfermline in the league.[6] He left the club by mutual consent in May 2006 after his contract ran out.[7]

Eintracht Frankfurt

In June 2006, Kyrgiakos signed a two-year deal with Eintracht Frankfurt.[8] In his first season, he proved to be a fan favourite with some great performances and crucial goals which helped the team avoid relegation. In his second season with the club with more excellent performances he helped the team finish in ninth position. On 1 July 2008, after his two-year deal expired, Kyrgiakos decided not to renew his contract with the German club, and so was released.

AEK Athens

On 1 August 2008, Kyrgiakos agreed to sign for AEK Athens on a five year deal.[9] Due to a number of injuries, Kyrgiakos only made 20 league appearances for AEK but he still established himself as one of the league's best defenders. He played in the Greek Cup Final in 2009 as AEK played Olympiakos in one of the most thrilling games in the history of Greek football. Kyrgiakos was on the losing side as Olympiakos F.C. won 15–14 on penalties following a 4–4 draw after extra time. Kyrgiakos did not manage to complete the match though having picked up an injury in the second half of the match. AEK were winning 2–1 at the time.[10]

Liverpool

2009–10 season

Kyrgiakos in training for Liverpool on the far left

On 21 August 2009, it was announced that he had signed a two-year deal with the option of a further year for Liverpool. The Greek international was handed the number 16 shirt. Kyrgiakos scored his first goal for the club against Stoke City F.C. on 16 January 2010, in the 57th minute and also completed the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 draw alongside Martin Skrtel at the Britannia Stadium and was later named "man of the match" by various British sport sites for his performance in that match.[11][12][13] On 17 January 2010, former Liverpool striker and football pundit/journalist Stan Collymore wrote an article acknowledging Kyrgiakos' ability, stating that "Kyrgiakos may be keeping Rafa (Benitez) in a job...". Collymore argued that "Sotirios Kyrgiakos could become an unlikely poster boy for the ’new Liverpool’." He stated, "The big pony-tailed Greek put in a sterling performance at The Britannia and may typify the less football, more grit of the new Reds... And it is no-nonsense men such as Kyrgiakos who like to roll up their sleeves which can keep Rafa in a job right now."[14] Liverpool's very next game was a crunch-match against Tottenham Hotspur who were perceived as one of the clubs rivalling Liverpool for that all-important fourth position Premier League spot.[15] Liverpool won 2–0 and Kyrgiakos put in another phenomenal performance and was described by Sky Sports as "magnificent".[16] Kyrgiakos' fine form continued in the very next game as Liverpool kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw away at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 26 January 2010. An esteemed British sports site rated him as Liverpool's best player that night,[17] he was also voted man of the match in this game by the Liverpool fans on the clubs official website.[18] Meanwhile the legendary Liverpool striker Ian Rush also praised Kyrgiakos, stating that he's ready to fill the void left behind by Sami Hyypiä.[19] Kyrgiakos' performances had been so impressive that the British sports journalist, Steven Saunders, identified Kyrgiakos as "One To Watch" in the preview to Liverpool's home game against Bolton on 30 January 2010. Saunders stated, Kyrgiakos' "physical presence in the heart of the defence has been key to a spirited resolve in recent matches. Teams are having to work hard to score against Liverpool, which hadn't always been the case before Kyrgiakos' sustained run in the side".[20] In the build-up to that match the Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez also took time to praise Kyrgiakos and make comparisons between Kyrgiakos' role for the club and Sami Hyypiä's role when he was at the club, suggesting that Kyrgiakos had established himself as an integral part of the Liverpool squad.[21]

Kyrgiakos was voted "Man Of The Match" against Bolton on 30 January 2010, by the Liverpool fans for the third time in four games (as well as against Stoke and Wolverhampton Wanderers).[22]

Kyrgiakos' brilliant performances during January 2010 saw him voted as Liverpool's official "Player of the Month" by the clubs fans.[23] Kyrgiakos was sent off for a two-footed dive into Marouane Fellaini in the 213th Merseyside Derby between Liverpool F.C. and Everton F.C. on 6 February 2010 which eventually ended 1–0 in Liverpool's favour. Fellaini suffered an ankle injury which kept him out until August 2010.[24]

2010–11 season

On 29 July, Kyrgiakos started in Liverpool's UEFA Europa League tie against Rabotnicki Skopje and also featured in both play-off ties against Trabzonspor. On 16 September, he partnered Daniel Agger at centre-back for the red's first Europa League group game against Steaua Bucaresti at Anfield, Liverpool cruising to a 4–1 win. On 22 September, he captained the team that lost to League Two side Northampton Town on penalties in the third round of League Cup.

Kyrgiakos scored his second goal in Premier League against Blackpool, where Liverpool lost 1–2 at home, giving hope to reds. As instructed by the manager, Kyrgiakos has recently been played up front as a target man at times when Liverpool has been down in the final minutes and has needed a goal.[25] He also scored an important goal against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League in a 2–1 win at Anfield on 24 October 2010 to end Liverpool's run of six games without a win.[26] In June 2011, it was announced that Kyrgiakos would get a 12-month contract extension at Anfield after his initial two year contract expired.[27]

After 49 appearances and three goals for the Reds he left the club for Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg on 22 August 2011.[28]

VfL Wolfsburg

After discussions with Wolfsburg manager Felix Magath, the Greek stopper was quoted as saying "I am very happy to be joining Wolfsburg. I want to help the VfL finish the season in as high a position as is possible."[29] Magath was hoping that Kyrgiakos made an immediate impact in German football; "Kyrgiakos is a player who will step in straight away to help. He is experienced, knows the Bundesliga and does not need time to adapt. With his commitment, we are able to strengthen defensively." It was later confirmed that he switched on a free transfer after speculation regarding a transfer fee.[29]

Sunderland

On 31 January 2012, Kyrgiakos signed for Sunderland on a loan deal lasting until the end of the 2011–12 season.[30]

International career

Kyrgiakos made his senior international debut on 13 February 2002 against Sweden, and scored his first goal against Norway one year later on 13 February 2003. Kyrgiakos missed Greece's Euro 2004 victory through a knee injury sustained against future Rangers team-mate Stefan Klos.[31] He scored three goals during Euro 2008 qualifiers and was selected in the final squad to represent Greece in the final tournament.[32] Sotirios Kyrgiakos also contributed to the qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In a surprising decision, he announced his retirement from the Greek National Team on 13 August 2010.[33] Kyrgiakos ended his international career prematurely with 61 caps and four goals for Greece because of in-fighting within the Greek national team squad.

Honours

Club

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  2. ^ "Rangers 5–1 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 20 March 2005. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  3. ^ "Kyrgiakos moves to rejoin Rangers". BBC Sport. 30 August 2005. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  4. ^ "Rangers 3–2 Porto". BBC. 13 September 2005. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  5. ^ "Rangers 5–0 Peterhead". BBC Sport. 7 January 2006. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  6. ^ "Rangers 1–0 Dunfermline Athletic". BBC. 25 March 2006. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  7. ^ "Gers confirm Kyrgiakos departure". BBC Sport. 10 May 2006. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  8. ^ "Kyrgiakos heads to Frankfurt". UEFa.com. 30 June 2006. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  9. ^ "AEK FC sign Kyrgiakos". aekfc.gr.[dead link‍]
  10. ^ "Olympiakos Beat AEK Athens In Historic Greek Cup Final". Goal.com. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  11. ^ Hassan, Nabil (16 January 2010). "Stoke 1 – 1 Liverpool". BBC. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  12. ^ "Premier League Player Ratings: Stoke City 1–8 Liverpool". Goal.com. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  13. ^ "Player Ratings: Stoke vs Liverpool". Sky Sports. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  14. ^ "Kyrgiakos may be keeping Rafa in a job, but Liverpool will still finish in the top four". (Daily) Mirror Football onlin. 17 January 2010. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
  15. ^ "Liverpool v Tottenham - Match preview". Football.co.uk. 20 January 2010. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  16. ^ "Liverpool vs Tottenham – Player ratings". Sky Sports. 20 January 2010. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  17. ^ "Premier League Player Ratings: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–0 Liverpool". Goal.com. 26 January 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  18. ^ "Revealed: Your MOTM v Wolves". Liverpoolfc.tv. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  19. ^ Rush, Ian (26 January 2010). "IAN RUSH: Sotirios Kyrgiakos finally stepping out of Liverpool FC legend Sami Hyppia's shadow". Liverpool Echo.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  20. ^ Saunders, Steven (29 January 2010). "Premier League Preview: Liverpool – Bolton Wanderers". Goal.com. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  21. ^ "Rafa Benitez Expects Steven Gerrard To 'Make The Difference' For Liverpool". Goal.com. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  22. ^ "Revealed: Your MOTM v Bolton". Liverpoolfc.tv. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  23. ^ "Your January Player of the Month". Liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  24. ^ "Everton Latest Injuries". Evertonfc.com. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
  25. ^ Smith, Rory (3 October 2010). "Liverpool 1 Blackpool 2: match report". Telegraph. London. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  26. ^ Chadband, Ian (25 October 2010). "Liverpool 2 Blackburn Rovers 1: match report". Telegraph. London. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  27. ^ "Kyrgiakos gets another year". ESPN Soccernet. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  28. ^ "Kyrgiakos leaves Reds". liverpoolfc.tv. 23 August 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  29. ^ a b Darby, Jason (22 August 2011). "Kyrgiakos leaves Liverpool for Germany". Anfield Online. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  30. ^ "Kyrgiakos seals Wearside switch". safc.com. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  31. ^ "Klos wipes his hands of any part in Kyrgiakos injury as Greek internationalist comes to Ibrox". The Scotsman. 27 January 2005. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  32. ^ "Papastaopoulos doesn't make final cut".[dead link‍]
  33. ^ "Sotis stops from National Team". kyrgiakos.gr.

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