Alexandros Tziolis transitioned from a youth prospect at Apollon Litochorou to a defensive midfielder with 75 caps for the Greece national team.
Early Development and Panathinaikos
Born in Katerini in 1985, Tziolis began his professional journey after a Panionios scout identified his potential in 1995. He contributed to the Panionios squad for three seasons, featuring in 61 matches. In 2005, he joined Panathinaikos for a transfer fee of 650,000 euros. Throughout his time at the club, he recorded 113 appearances, notably earning Man of the Match honors against Werder Bremen in the 2008-09 UEFA Champions League.
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Tziolis joined Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on loan in January 2009 for 300,000 euros. During this stint, he secured his first professional trophy by winning the German Cup and appeared as a substitute in the UEFA Cup final. His career continued across various leagues, including a spell at AC Siena in Serie A, followed by a permanent move to Racing Santander in La Liga and a transfer to AS Monaco in 2012.
Success with APOEL and PAOK
While on loan at the Cypriot club APOEL from Monaco, Tziolis secured his first league title. In 2013, he signed a three-year contract with PAOK. He served as a core member of the midfield, achieving his 400th career appearance in a November 2015 match against Gabala FK. By the time his tenure at the club ended in 2017, he had accumulated 111 appearances for the team.
International Representation
Making his senior international debut on 21 January 2006, Tziolis became a fixture for Greece until his retirement in 2018. He was a member of the squad for UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he played every minute of the tournament for his nation, including their first-ever World Cup victory against Nigeria. He also represented his country at the 2014 World Cup.
Fast facts
- Born: 13 February 1985, Katerini, Greece
- International caps: 75
- International goals: 2
- First professional trophy: German Cup (2009)
- Total appearances at PAOK: 111
- Positions: Defensive midfielder
- Career debut: 2002
- Final international year: 2018
Questions readers ask
How many World Cups did Alexandros Tziolis play in?
He represented Greece in two FIFA World Cups, appearing in the 2010 and 2014 tournaments.
What was Tziolis's first professional club?
He started his career as a teenager with the local team Apollon Litochorou before joining Panionios in 1995.
