Biography
Who is Yannis Maniatis?
Early life and career beginnings
Born in Livadeia, Greece, Yannis Maniatis began his path in professional football at a young age. He started his career playing for A.A. Arachova Parnassos, competing in the lowest division of the Greek professional football system. Reflecting on his humble beginnings, he once noted that he went from playing in front of only ten people in the village of Arahova to performing before big crowds at the Karaiskakis stadium.
Following his time with A.A. Arachova Parnassos, he caught the eye of scouts while finishing his youth career with AO Thiva. In late 2003, Panionios signed the young talent. He made his professional debut for the club in 2004. By the 2006/07 season, he had become an integral part of their first team, making 27 league appearances as the club finished fifth and qualified for European competition. He helped Panionios reach the group stage of the UEFA Cup after making his European debut against FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.
Rise with Olympiacos
In January 2011, Olympiacos secured the signature of Yannis Maniatis, beating out competition from AEK Athens. Although initially acquired to serve as a back-up right-back, his versatility soon saw him transition into a defensive midfield role. Coach Ernesto Valverde first deployed him in this position during a critical UEFA Champions League match against Marseille, where he delivered a man-of-the-match performance.
Maniatis established himself as a key, first-choice player for the team, demonstrating strong tackling skills, stamina, and vision. He scored his first goal for the club during a victory against Levadiakos and netted his first Champions League goal in a win against Arsenal in December 2012. Throughout his tenure, he signed multiple contract extensions, tying his future to the club through various seasons despite facing significant injury setbacks, including a serious knee injury in 2015 that sidelined him for several months.
International and club transfers
Beyond his domestic club success, Maniatis represented his country, playing for the Greece men's national football team. His professional path included several changes throughout his career. In February 2016, he joined Standard Liège on a six-month loan from Olympiacos, where he made his Belgian Pro League debut against Sint-Truidense V.V. And scored against Kortrijk.
After his time in Belgium and a subsequent return to Olympiacos, he moved to the west Athenian club Atromitos in early 2017 on a free transfer. Later that year, in June 2017, he signed a two-year contract with the Turkish Süper Lig club Alanyaspor. Throughout these transitions, he consistently aimed to contribute to the goals of each organization he joined, reuniting with former national teammates along the way.
Birthday and age
Yannis Maniatis was born on October 12, 1986, which makes Yannis 40 years old today. That birthday falls under the Libra sign. Yannis shares the date with 53 other famous people.
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