Young striker George Stamoulis signed with La Liga side CD Leganes in August last year, with the Greek Australian revealing to SBS The World Game that he hopes to follow in the footsteps of Socceroo John Aloisi.
The Australian signed a two year deal with the La Liga club after transferring from Greek Super League giants Panathinaikos in August last year. Since then, the 21-year-old has been hoping to fulfil his dreams of breaking into the first team and becoming successful in Spain.
Stamoulis looks to Socceroos great John Aloisi for inspiration in his La Liga journey, hoping to emulate his successful feat in the Spanish top division.
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“I’ve been working very hard and believe I have what it takes to follow in John’s footsteps. The club has been fantastic,” Stamoulis told The World Game.
“Everyone from the coaching staff to the players have made me feel at home from day one and given me the confidence to express myself.
“The club is very ambitious and has a lot of potential to grow and be successful, which really excites me about the future.”
After making just two appearances for South Melbourne’s first-team in the NPL in 2017, the Aussie teenager took his career overseas to Greece.
“My two years in Greece were an amazing experience for me,” Stamoulis reveals to The World Game. “It was my first time living overseas and being away from my family, so it was difficult at first.
“It gave me the opportunity to experience European football for the first time, and enhanced my level as a player tremendously. The food over there isn’t too bad either.”
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The Greek Australian hopes to one day earn a call up to the Socceroos, yet recognises that opportunity is not in his direct line of vision for the future.
“I don’t like to look too far ahead when creating goals and ambitions for myself, I prefer to work on how I can better myself in the short term and in doing so give myself a better chance of success in the future,” Stamoulis said.
“In saying that, a big dream of mine is to play for the Socceroos, which is something I will work tirelessly to achieve.”
