Sokratis Papastathopoulos emerged from the Apollon Petalidiou youth system to secure a professional contract with AEK Athens in June 2005. The Greek defender established himself as a physical presence in central defense, eventually captaining AEK at age 19 before embarking on a decade-long career spanning elite European leagues in Italy, Germany, and beyond.
Early Development and Greek Career
Papastathopoulos launched his career under the guidance of scout Toni Savevski. His debut for AEK Athens in October 2005 resulted in a goal against PAS Giannina. Following a brief loan spell at Niki Volos in 2006, he returned to the Super League Greece. During the 2006–07 Champions League campaign, he notably man-marked Filippo Inzaghi during a 1–0 victory over AC Milan. He served as the club's youngest captain during the 2008 season, appearing frequently alongside defenders such as Bruno Cirillo, Traianos Dellas, and Vangelis Moras.
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In August 2008, the defender moved to Serie A club Genoa for a reported €4 million. He made his debut in September 2008 against Fiorentina and scored his first goal against Napoli in October of that year. By July 2010, AC Milan acquired Papastathopoulos for €14 million in a deal involving co-ownership rights for three other players. His tenure at Milan proved brief, and by the 2011 season, contractual adjustments resulted in his return to Genoa's books before he secured a move to the Bundesliga.
Bundesliga Tenure
Papastathopoulos joined Werder Bremen on loan in 2011, making the move permanent for €5 million by April 2012. In May 2013, he completed a €9.5 million transfer to Borussia Dortmund, signing a five-year deal. He debuted for Dortmund against Basel and won his first title with the club in the 2013 DFL-Supercup. His performance during the 2013–14 season led to his inclusion in the Bundesliga's fan-voted best XI, where he was recognized for his defensive consistency and leadership qualities.
Fast facts
- Born: 9 June 1988, Kalamata
- Primary Position: Centre-back
- National Team: Greece
- Debut Club: AEK Athens
- 2013 DFL-Supercup Winner: Borussia Dortmund
- Bundesliga Contract Extension: October 2015
Questions readers ask
Which major clubs did Sokratis play for?
He played for AEK Athens, Genoa, AC Milan, Werder Bremen, and Borussia Dortmund.
What was his transfer fee to Borussia Dortmund?
He moved to Dortmund in 2013 for a reported fee of €9.5 million.
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