The youngster’s profile

A talented youngster from Katerini, he left his family and was set up at the dorms of the “Double-Headed Eagle”. After a week he left. He thought about it and returned two days later, to stay for good this time.

Kyriakos Savvidis is dynamic and spontaneous on the pitch as well. Strongly-built, quick with the ball at his feet, excels in vertical passing and combining with his teammates and is comfortable in attacking transition. Born on 20 June 1995, the young player started his career as an “8”, but he played his best games for the U20s as a classic “10” in a free role behind the lone striker. He looks for the killer pass and is a team player. He doesn’t care about his individual stats, how many goals or assists he has to his name.

“My only concern is to improve on a daily basis, to play for my team and my coach”, he says. He has suffered injuries, has been through hardship, but “I never ever thought to give up”. One of his worst experiences came two years ago at the Superleague U17 final four. After defeating Olympiacos in the semi-finals, PAOK players returned to the dressing rooms and were given magnesium to relax. “A teammate knocked down the bottle, it broke and, during the celebrations, I stepped on the glass and cut my foot. I missed the final. That defeat was my worst experience so far”, he reminisces.

As for his best moment so far? The joy he felt seeing the pride in his father’s eyes in the summer of 2013, when he signed his first professional contract with PAOK. On the final matchday of 2013-14 Greek Super League, he made his debut for the senior side and last summer he joined preseason training for the first time.

On his free time, he plays basketball and tennis, he likes to hang out with friends at home and has but one thing on his mind: “To win the league title”.