By Takis Triadafillou
26-year-old George Timotheou’s technique in providing solutions and concealing dangers in defence are unique. These characteristics make him stand out, as well as his ability to read the phases and transfers to the extreme forwards.
The father-of-two started his professional career at Sydney FC but never managed to break into the main team, instead playing in their reserve team in the National Premier Leagues (NPL). Halfway through his two-year contract, Timotheou left the club to sign for Sydney Olympic FC, where he made 27 appearances during his two seasons there, before leaving to sign a deal with Bundesliga football club Schalke 04.
Timotheou made his professional debut for Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga on 18 May 2019, starting in the home match against VfB Stuttgart. In November 2020, Timotheou returned to Australia to play in the A-League, signing with Adelaide United on a two-year contract.
Today he’s back as a defender at Sydney Olympic.
With the new NSW men’s National Premier Leagues season starting this week, The Greek Herald sat down with Timotheou to hear all about his plans for the year ahead.
Why did you choose to return to Sydney Olympic?
I think, because it’s my home. The club was very good to me a few years ago. And I think it was natural. It wasn’t hard to decide, I think it was mainly my decision to come back. So, it wasn’t really difficult for me.
How did you first get into football?
I started at the very young age of three at Gungahlin United FC and stayed for about ten years with that team. Later I went to the Australian Institute of Sports.
What positions do you play?
I started as a left and right striker and a central striker. In one match the central defender was injured and the coach put me as a defender to help. Since then, I have established myself as a defender.
You have played in several teams and of course, abroad.
Yes, I played in several good teams and at the same time, I gained the experience to perform well in every game. Of course, I played for League teams, in the NPL and overseas at Schalke in Germany. For a very short time I was also at the Belgian club Zulte Waregem.
I returned to Australia and went to Adelaide United and later to Melbourne Victory and back to Gungahlin United FC. Now of course I’m at Sydney Olympic – a team that has breathed life into Australian football during the NPL period and now, with the National Second Division, it will recreate football and raise the level.
What are your thoughts on the National Second Division?
There was previously no second division or anything like that, so obviously when I heard that Sydney Olympic was in the second division, I was very excited about it. I think it will be a big step forward and with the roster we have I think we can do very well. All the lads have shown great interest and we are training as much as possible, and in our friendly games the results are showing.
Sydney Olympic have so far done well in all three cup tournaments this year.
Yes. At The Greek Herald Cup the presence of the fans was fantastic and with a positive result we lifted the Cup. It was the same result at the Hellenic Cup in Brisbane. Both games were fantastic.
