Chatziisaias’s trajectory
Sometimes destiny plays weird games. It’s certainly the case of Dimitris Chatziisaias, who did the tour of Greece on his way from Stavroupoli to Toumba.
Born in Thessaloniki, he started his career at the youth ranks of Omonia Stavroupoli. He was given his first taste of professional football in 2011, playing for Vataniakos in Football League 2. He signed for AO Glyfada in the following season and, after a stellar year, he was ready for his next step.
In the summer of 2013, AEK Athens were interested in him but the deal didn’t go through. Marinos Ouzounidis called him for a try-out at Platanias but, despite making an excellent impression during preseason training, he didn’t get to play for them.
AO Chania jumped at the opportunity and signed Chatziisaias, who remained in Crete and became a regular right from the start. He completed the season with 36 appearances and one goal to his name, attracting interest from many clubs. At the end, he got to work with Ouzounidis as he signed for Panionios.
He adjusted quickly to the requirements of the top-flight league in his first season at Nea Smyrni, but he definitely… took off in the first half of the current season. Featuring in 19 games, he has been a key factor in the “blue-and-reds’” fine showings and is considered one of the top central defenders of the league.