Steve Pantelidis

Steve Pantelidis (born 17 August 1983) is a former Australian soccer player who plays as a central defender.

Club career

Early career

Pantelidis was reportedly a keen football player who showed plenty of potential competing against other schools. After excelling in the state championships, representing his home state Victoria, Pantelidis was selected to represent the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). After completing his apprenticeship he joined Altona East Phoenix in the Victorian premier league. In his second year at the club he was voted player of the year.

Denmark

Pantelidis moved overseas at the age of 19 years and signed for FC Aarhus, after his successful year at Altona East Phoenix.

Return to Australia

After finding it hard to settle in Denmark, Pantelidis returned to Australia after 6 months and signed for Melbourne Knights in the National Soccer League (NSL). During his time at Melbourne Knights he was selected to represent Australia at Under-20 level. He subsequently went to the World Cup in the United Arab Emirates where Australia reached the quarter final. During the period where Australia's national football league was being reformed, Pantelidis played both for Oakleigh Cannons and Heidelberg United in the Victorian Premier League.

Melbourne Victory

After excelling in the Victorian Premier League, Melbourne Victory FC snapped Pantelidis up for the start of the A-League where he spent 4 years. During his time at Melbourne Victory FC he was awarded 'The Age young player of the year' and won two A-League Championships with the club.

Gold Coast United

In 2009, he signed a 2-year deal with the new franchise in the A-League, Gold Coast United FC. Pantelidis played 49 games for Gold Coast FC.

Medan Bintang FC

After a successful and productive 2 years at Gold Coast United FC, Pantelidis was approached by Medan Bintang FC in the newly formed Liga Primer Indonesia, where he signed a 2-year deal. After only two weeks at the club he was made captain by former Bundesliga coach Michael Fichenbiger. Unfortunately, the league collapsed and Pantelidis returned to the A-League where he signed for Perth Glory FC.

Perth Glory

After returning from Indonesia and signing with Perth Glory on the eve of the start of the season, Pantelidis had an outstanding year. After breaking into the side he played 22 straight games cementing his spot as a no-nonsense and clever centre back. Steve helped Perth Glory reach the Grand Final narrowly losing to Brisbane Roar 2 -1 after a controversial decision by the referee. He signed a 2-year extension after the final which will see him in Perth till the end of the 2013–14 season.

Selangor

At the end of 2013, Pantelidis left Perth Glory to join Malaysia Super League team Selangor FA, joining former Melbourne Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic.

Honours

With Melbourne Victory:
* A-League Championship: 2006–2007, 2008–2009
* A-League Premiership: 2006–2007, 2008–2009
''The Age'' Young Player of the Year A-League 2006–2007

References

External links

Gold Coast United profile



{{DEFAULTSORT:Pantelidis, Steve
1983 births
Australian people of Greek descent
Sportspeople of Greek descent
A-League Men players
Liga 1 (Indonesia) players
Malaysia Super League players
Melbourne Knights FC players
Melbourne Victory FC players
Gold Coast United FC players
Perth Glory FC players
Selangor F.C. players
Altona East Phoenix SC players
Oakleigh Cannons FC players
Australian expatriate men's soccer players
Expatriate men's footballers in Indonesia
Expatriate men's footballers in Malaysia
Soccer players from Melbourne
Living people
Men's association football central defenders
Australian men's soccer players
Australian expatriate sportspeople in Indonesia
Expatriate men's footballers in Denmark
Australian expatriate sportspeople in Denmark
Australian expatriate sportspeople in Malaysia
21st-century Australian sportsmen