- Giannis Taralidis
Giannis Taralidis (born
17 May 1981 ) is a footballdefensive midfielder who currently plays forOFI ,Greece . After spending 5 seasons atPaniliakos side, he moved to Olympiacos in 2003. He rapidly settled down at his new club but with the likes ofChristian Karembeu ,Ieroklis Stoltidis ,Pantelis Kafes andRivaldo dominating in midfield, he works hard for first-team opportunitiesCurrently Giannis Taralidis is playing for O.F.I. Crete.
Groomed by lowly APS Almopos Arideas, he was spotted and signed aged 18 by Paniliakos FC in 1999. Taralidis went on to make his top-flight debut in October of that year and suffered
relegation in 2000/01, only to win promotion back to theAlpha Ethniki two years later.Although his club were then prompty relegated again, he had already left Paniliakos in January to join Olympiacos CFP for €250,000 on a four-and-a-half-year contract. Taralidis made five substitute appearances for the Athenian side as they relinquished their crown to
Panathinaikos FC . Played in 12 2004/05 league matches, starting the last three encounters of the double-winning season. Capably filled in for the suspended Ieroklis Stoltidis when required. However, appeared just five times for a total of 109 minutes the following campaign, though did score against Panionios FC on his sole start.A former Greek Under-21 international, Taralidis represented his country at the Athens Olympic Games.
He is extremely famous within Olympiacos' fans, with the chant "Tara, Tara" being heard when he comes in touch with the ball. Well known for his strong shots and foul taking capabilities, Taralidis is a promisising attacking and
defensive midfielder for Olympiacos and Greece.He stands at 1.88m tall and is also known for his aerial capabilities as well as well as dribbling. Taralidis played in 5 Greek National A matches last year (2005-2006) for Olympiacos scoring 1 goal.
Currently Giannis Taralidis is playing for O.F.I. Crete.
References
[http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UCL/Players/Player=43482/index.html Taralidis biography by UEFA]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.