Kostas Fortounis entered professional football in 2008, beginning his development within the Olympiacos youth system before moving to AO Trikala. Born in 1992 in the Thessaly region of Greece, the midfielder established his professional presence through stints in the Greek Super League and the German second tier, eventually returning to represent Olympiacos as a key attacking force.
Early Development and Greek Beginnings
After departing the Olympiacos youth ranks in 2008, Fortounis joined AO Trikala. He appeared in 13 fourth-division matches, scoring once, following a successful period with the club's Under-21 side. His subsequent move to Asteras Tripolis introduced him to the Super League. During his time in the Peloponnese, he made 24 league appearances and recorded his first top-flight goal against AEK Athens in September 2010. Although the team suffered relegation, his individual performance attracted attention from European clubs, including Juventus.
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In 2011, Fortounis moved to the German club 1. FC Kaiserslautern on a contract lasting until 2015. His first season resulted in 28 league appearances but concluded in relegation. He remained with the squad for the 2012–13 season, scoring twice in 24 matches as the team pursued promotion, eventually falling short in a play-off against Hoffenheim. His time in Germany also included a DFB-Pokal semifinal appearance against Bayern Munich in 2014.
Return to Olympiacos and Domestic Dominance
Fortounis signed a five-year contract with Olympiacos in July 2014. His return to the club saw significant statistical growth; in the 2015–16 season, he became the third player in team history to achieve double digits in both goals and assists. He finished that campaign as the league's top scorer and top assister. Beyond domestic success, he featured in Champions League matches, including a notable performance against Arsenal in 2015. Named team captain in August 2018, he continued to contribute across both domestic league play and Europa League fixtures.
Fast facts
- Born: 1992, Trikala, Greece
- Occupations: Association football player
- First Super League goal: 19 September 2010
- German club: 1. FC Kaiserslautern
- Olympiacos contract: Signed 21 July 2014
- Team captaincy: August 2018
Questions readers ask
Which Greek clubs has Fortounis played for?
His Greek career includes spells with AO Trikala, Asteras Tripolis, and Olympiacos.
When did he first reach double digits for goals and assists?
He accomplished this feat during the 2015–16 season while playing for Olympiacos.
Achievements
- Worked as association football player
