.jpg) Giannou playing forAustralia at the2019 AFC Asian Cup | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Apostolos Giannou | ||
| Date of birth | (1990-01-25)25 January 1990 (age 35) | ||
| Place of birth | Naousa, Greece | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Achyronas-Onisilos | ||
| Number | 99 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2003–2004 | Oakleigh Cannons | ||
| 2004–2005 | South Melbourne | ||
| 2005–2006 | VIS | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2007 | Oakleigh Cannons | 7 | (1) |
| 2007–2009 | Apollon Kalamarias | 29 | (6) |
| 2009–2011 | Kavala | 14 | (2) |
| 2011–2013 | PAOK | 26 | (3) |
| 2013 | →Platanias (loan) | 9 | (1) |
| 2013–2015 | Panionios | 60 | (13) |
| 2015–2016 | Asteras Tripolis | 21 | (13) |
| 2016–2018 | Guangzhou R&F | 29 | (7) |
| 2018–2020 | AEK Larnaca | 54 | (7) |
| 2020–2022 | OFI | 17 | (0) |
| 2022 | Macarthur | 20 | (3) |
| 2022–2023 | Kerala Blasters | 17 | (2) |
| 2024 | Ilioupoli | 11 | (1) |
| 2024– | Achyronas-Onisilos | 25 | (5) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2006 | Australia U17 | 8 | (2) |
| 2008–2009 | Greece U19 | 7 | (0) |
| 2010–2012 | Greece U21 | 13 | (2) |
| 2015 | Greece | 1 | (0) |
| 2016–2019 | Australia | 12 | (2) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 26 June 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 23:36, 10 October 2019 (UTC) | |||
Apostolos Giannou (Greek:Απόστολος Γιάννου; born 25 January 1990) is a professionalfootballer who plays as aforward forCypriot Second Division clubAchyronas-Onisilos. Born in Greece, he represented various Greek and Australian youth national teams, including one friendly with theGreece national team, before appearing competitively for theAustralia national team.
Giannou was born inNaousa, Greece, but moved to Australia at a young age and grew up inMelbourne,Victoria. In Australia he was known as Paul.
Giannou played junior football forOakleigh Cannons andSouth Melbourne. Following state representative honours at under-14 and under-15 level, Giannou was selected for theVIS byErnie Merrick. At the Victorian Institute of Sport, he trained alongsideAndreas Govas,Matthew Spiranovic,Adrian Leijer,Leigh Broxham, Milos Lujic, Dimitri Hatzimouratis and Matthew Theodore.[2]
He took part inMelbourne Victory's pre-season friendlies prior to the2006–07 A-League season with an intention of being signed in an apprenticeship capacity. However, Giannou secured a two-week trial withPSV Eindhoven's Reserve and Academy teams.[3] Giannou was assured that if he did not sign with the Dutch club, he could return to Melbourne Victory.[4] Despite the unsuccessful trial, Giannou came back to Melbourne and signed a six-month contract withVictorian Premier League side Oakleigh Cannons.
On 2007, Giannou was transferred to Greek first division sideApollon Kalamarias. Giannou netted his first goal for Apollon Kalamarias in late 2008, an 81st minute consolation goal in a 3–1 defeat at home toKerkyra.[5] Giannou would go on to score 5 more times in the2008–2009 Beta Ethniki season before being transferred to Kavala, who had gained promotion toSuperleague Greece for the2009–10 season, on a five-year contract.
On 21 November 2009 Giannou debuted for Kavala where he was substituted on after 79 minutes, after being played through on goal Giannou neatly passed the ball into the back of the net on the 88th minute mark to seal a 2–1 victory againstAEK Athens.[6][7] Down the track, Giannou was one of five Australians in the Greek side as the club welcomed the arrivals ofRobert Stambolziev,Zeljko Kalac,Andreas Govas andCraig Moore.
After the relegation of Kavala,Zisis Vryzas had brought him toPAOK and Giannou was set free and on 30 September 2011 signed a three-year contract with PAOK[8] He made his first appearance for the club during the2011–12 season in a 0–0 draw againstOFI on 16 October, where he was substituted onto the field forVladimir Ivic in the 78th minute.[9] Giannou scored his first goals for the club, a brace, in a 2–0 away victory against OFI on 11 February.[10]
On 2 September 2013 Panionios proceeded to a significant addition to its roster, by announcing the acquisition of Giannou. The 23-year-old striker was released byPAOK, as it was not in the plans ofHuub Stevens, but did not stay for long time as unemployed and immediately signing a two-years' contract with the club.
On 9 June 2015, Giannou signed a three years' contract withAsteras Tripoli for an undisclosed fee.[11] He scored on his debut againstPanthrakikos F.C. he also scored 2 matchdays later a penalty against Kaloni F.C. On 27 September 2015, on the 5th day of the2015–16 season he scored in a 2–1 away loss againstLevadiakos.[12] On 5 October 2015, he scored the only goal of his club in a 1–1 home draw againstPlatanias F.C. On 25 October 2015, after three consecutive unsuccessful results, he scored twice, one with a penalty-kick in the 2–1 away win againstPAS Giannina. He was named man of the match.[13]On 5 November 2015,Asteras Tripoli ended a run of seven European games without a win to breathe life into their flagging group campaign, by winningAPOEL. Giannou scored the second goal in a 2–0 home win in the extra time of first half afterPablo Mazza's assist.[14][15]It was his first goal inUEFA campaigns. On 29 November 2015, was anointed scorer with a second attempt after the successful repulse of the penalty fromRoberto in overtime in a 3–1 away loss against Greek championsOlympiakos.[16] On 5 December 2015, he scored the only goal in the 2–1 home loss againstIraklis,[17] that keeping the unbeaten tradition againstAsteras Tripoli. On 2 January 2016, he scored twice to a comfortable 4–0 home win againstPanthrakikos.[18] With these goals, he scored his eleventh goal in this year'sseason setting a new personal season's scoring record after last year's 10 goals withPanionios.[19]
On 20 February 2016, the Chinese clubShanghai Shenhua offer more than €2 million to buy 26-year-old striker of Asteras Tripolis. The Greek club ask for at least €3 million to sell its first scorer, who can not be replaced with a transfer until summer, while Giannou seems to have already agreed terms with the team of his compatriot,Avraam Papadopoulos, which offers him more than €1 million for every year of contract.[20]
On 24 February 2016, Giannou has agreed to continue his career at the Chinese clubGuangzhou R&F instead ofShanghai Shenhua. Asteras Tripolis have accepted a bid of €2.5 million for the Greek striker who is heading to China to undergo medical and complete his move. Giannou has agreed terms with Guangzhou with a lucrative three years' contract of €1.6 million yearly.[21][22]
On 25 January 2018, Guangzhou R&F confirmed that Giannou joined AEK Larnaca.[23]
On 22 September 2020, Giannou after leaving AEK Larnaca, has decided to continue his career in Greece, signing a two-years deal with OFI, for an undisclosed fee.[24]
On 13 January 2022, Giannou after leaving OFI,[25] has decided to continue his career in Australia, signing a deal withMacarthur FC, for an undisclosed fee.[26]
On 8 July 2022,Indian Super League clubKerala Blasters announced Giannou as the club's first foreign signing ahead of the2022–23 season.[27] Giannou's Indian Super League debut with the Blasters came on 7 October 2022 in a 3–1 win againstEast Bengal on the opening day of the2022–23 season.[28] He scored his first goal for the club on 11 December against theirsouthern rivalsBengaluru FC, where he scored the third goal for the Blasters within two minutes after coming as a substitute in the 68th minute as the Blasters won the match 3–2 at full-time.[29] He scored his second goal of the season againstJamshedpur FC on 3 January 2023, where he scored the first goal for the Blasters from a backheel flick in the 9th minute and helped the Blasters to win the match 3–1 at home.[30] Later the season, Giannou was included in the Blasters' squad for the2023 Indian Super Cup,[31] and made his cup debut for the Blasters in the 3–1 victory againstRoundGlass Punjab FC on 8 April 2023.[32]
In 2006, Giannou represented theAustralia under-17 team at theAFC U-17 Championship 2006 Qualification. Giannou scored in Australia's 3–1 win against Indonesia.[33] Giannou was the only Victorian player selected for Australia's under-17 side that took part in the International Youth Football tournament inNiigata, Japan. The team finished top of their respective group as Giannou scored a goal in a 5–1 win againstAlbirex Niigata.[34]
In July 2008, Giannou was listed in a group of Australian footballers aged between 16 and 22 known as "the lost boys", includingDean Bouzanis,Andreas Govas andRobert Stambolziev, who were likely to play for or had played for national teams of the country of their heritage.[35][36]
In 2008, Giannou represented theGreece under-19 team at the2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification where Greece qualified for theChampionship finals, he played alongside AustralianDean Bouzanis. Under coachAlexis Alexiou, Giannou appeared twice at the European Under-19 Championships when he was substituted on in a 1–1 draw againstItaly and started in a 3–0 loss againstEngland as Greece finished at the bottom of their group.[37][38][39][40]
On 5 September 2010, Giannou returned to the international stage after two years' absence, he was selected for theGreece under-21 team for a2011 European Under-21 Championship qualifier against theMacedonia which Greece won 2–1.[41][42][43]
On 24 March 2015, Giannou was selected but did not appear for the Greece national team for theUEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match againstHungary.[44]
On 5 November 2015, Giannou was selected but did not appear for the Greece national team for the friendly matches againstLuxembourg andTurkey.[45] On 17 November, he made his debut appearance withGreece as a late substitute forKostas Mitroglou in a 0–0 away draw againstTurkey.[46]
He was capped by Greece, on 25 February 2016, but Giannou declared his intent to play forAustralia.[47]
Giannou was called up forAustralia for the2018 World Cup qualifiers againstTajikistan andJordan on 9 March 2016.[48] Giannou made his debut for Australia in a 7–0 win against Tajikistan on 24 March 2016. He assistedMassimo Luongo for Australia's first goal of the match, and won two penalties for Australia, which were converted byMile Jedinak andMark Milligan for Australia's second and third goals.[49]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup[a] | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Oakleigh Cannons | 2007 | Victorian Premier League | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 7 | 1 | |
| Apollon Kalamarias | 2007–08 | Super League Greece | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 | Super League Greece 2 | 21 | 6 | 0 | 0 | – | 21 | 6 | ||
| Total | 29 | 6 | 0 | 0 | – | 29 | 6 | |||
| Kavala | 2009–10 | Super League Greece | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | 6 | 1 | |
| 2010–11 | Super League Greece | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 10 | 0 | ||
| Total | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | 16 | 1 | |||
| PAOK | 2011–12 | Super League Greece | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 17 | 2 |
| 2012–13 | Super League Greece | 11 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3[b] | 0 | 17 | 3 | |
| Total | 26 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 34 | 5 | ||
| Platanias (loan) | 2012–13 | Super League Greece | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | 10 | 1 | |
| Panionios | 2013–14 | Super League Greece | 28 | 3 | 5 | 1 | – | 33 | 4 | |
| 2014–15 | Super League Greece | 32 | 10 | 6 | 2 | – | 38 | 12 | ||
| Total | 60 | 13 | 11 | 3 | – | 71 | 16 | |||
| Asteras Tripoli | 2015–16 | Super League Greece | 21 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 6[b] | 1 | 30 | 14 |
| Guangzhou R&F | 2016 | Chinese Super League | 22 | 5 | 3 | 1 | – | 25 | 6 | |
| 2017 | Chinese Super League | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | 7 | 2 | ||
| Total | 29 | 7 | 3 | 1 | – | 32 | 8 | |||
| AEK Larnaca | 2017–18 | Cypriot First Division | 11 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 5 |
| 2018–19 | Cypriot First Division | 24 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 12[b] | 3 | 39 | 8 | |
| 2019–20 | Cypriot First Division | 19 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6[b] | 1 | 28 | 2 | |
| Total | 54 | 7 | 12 | 4 | 18 | 4 | 84 | 15 | ||
| OFI | 2020–21 | Super League Greece | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 15 | 0 | |
| 2021–22 | Super League Greece | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 4 | 0 | ||
| Total | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | ||
| Macarthur | 2021–22 | A-League Men | 20 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 3 |
| Kerala Blasters | 2022–23 | Indian Super League | 17 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 19 | 2 | |
| Career total | 296 | 55 | 39 | 10 | 29 | 5 | 372 | 71 | ||
| Greece | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 |
| Australia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2016 | 5 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | 6 | 1 |
| Total | 12 | 2 |
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 15 October 2018 | Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium,Kuwait City,Kuwait |  Kuwait | 2–0 | 4–0 | Friendly |
| 2. | 11 January 2019 | Rashid Stadium,Dubai,United Arab Emirates |  Palestine | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2019 AFC Asian Cup |
AEK Larnaca
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