Sotirios Papagiannopoulos

Career in Sweden

Papagiannopoulos’ playing career began in the youth system of AIK. He played for the club’s U-19 team before making the switch to his first professional senior side in Väsby United. His defensive abilities and goal-scoring prowess saw him continue to raise eyebrows. His coach had said: "If he works hard, he can be a very good player". After two years on Väsby's squad, Papagiannopoulos signed for Akropolis IF on loan. He was a basic toll for his new team and participated in 24 matches. Assyriska FF came calling in 2011 and Papagiannopoulos began a four-year stint with the Swedish second division club. He made 75 appearances for the team in those four seasons producing consistent and steady performances at the back for his team. "He has a great season with Acropolis, being the captain of the club. We have followed his progress for years, he is aggressive, fast, has good passing game. He was a high priority for us and it feels good that he chose us in front of several other competing clubs." said Assyriska manager Aydin Aho to the club's website.^[1] He made very good appearances with Assyriska FF and participated in 82 matches, in all competitions.

PAOK

After three successful years with Assyriska FF, Papagiannopoulos signed for PAOK FC in January 2015 for 2,5 years.^[2] "It's always been a dream to come to a Greek big club," said 24-year-old to Fotbolltransfers.com.^[3] PAOK manager Angelos Anastasiadis was told about the player and decided to take a look at him in training. Anastasiadis liked what he saw and believed that with a little fine tuning Papagiannopoulos could make the grade for the Thessaloniki giants. He made his debut in Superleague Greece against Kalloni F.C. as a substitute. He made seven appearances during the rest of that season. Anastasiadis had tabbed him as one for the future. As he began to acclimate to life in Greece with PAOK, he was shown the door in surprise fashion. Anastasiadis’ departure from the club meant that the Swede’s biggest supporter was gone. In August 2015, then PAOK manager Igor Tudor told Papagiannopoulos he was not part of his plans. The player was making €2,500 per month, a paltry sum compared to others. Despite his low cost to the club, he was eventually shown the door. ^[4]

Return to Sweden

Östersunds FK has announced the centre back Sotirios Papagiannopoulos, as a free transfer from PAOK. "We've known him for a long time, since his time in Assyrian. We have been impressed with his speed, strength and confidence. We are delighted to have him here and continue his development with us." says manager Graham Potter to the club's website.^[5] Papagiannopoulos made an instant impact at the ambitious club. He helped lead Ostersunds to promotion to the Swedish Allsvenskan, the country’s top-flight, for the first time in the club’s history. Last season, the 27-year-old was an integral part of the team that won the Swedish Cup as Ostersunds fairytale continued. On 13 April 2017, Papagiannopoulos was a substitute in the 2016–17 Svenska Cupen final, where the goals from Samuel Mensah, Hosam Aiesh, Alhaji Gero and Saman Ghoddos powered the Jämtkraft Arena outfit to their first major silverware and a place in the Europa League play-offs for next season, as they thriumphed against IFK Norrköping with 4–1.^[6] On 28 October 2017, he opened the score in a triumphant 4-1 home win game against IF Elfsborg. It was his first goal with the club in all competitions.^[7]

The Greek centre back is a key member of Östersunds FK in the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League, as they eliminated among others PAOK and Galatasaray in the preliminary rounds and have already qualified from Group J in the last 32, eliminating clubs with higher budget and experience. The club reached the knockout stage of the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League tournament after finishing second in Group J, level on points with Athletic Bilbao and ahead of Zorya Luhansk and Hertha Berlin. Papagiannopoulos has been ever-present in the team even managing to score away to Hertha in the group finale, where he was also named Man of the Match. In January 2018, Papagiannopoulos despite the interest of Belgian club Standard Liege, he renewed his contract with Östersunds FK for another year.^[8]