Sokratis Fytanidis

Sokratis Fytanidis was born on the 25th of May 1984 in Thessaloniki. 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. Fytanidis joined Asteras from Apollon Kalamarias F.C. in January 2008 and in 2011 he 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 made 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. His 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. According to transfer reports, Fytanidis was rumored to be joining Panathinaikos 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 at 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.” On 25 June 2015, he renewed his contract with the club for three more years, till the summer of 2018. He was 59 times capped with the U21, U19, and U17 Greek national teams. On 1 February 2013, Fernando Santos the Greek national football team coach called the Peristeri defender for the first time in national team for a friendly match against Switzerland national football team