Nikos Karelis

Nikos Karelis (Greek: Νίκος Καρέλης; born 24 February 1992) is a Greek professional footballer who plays as a forward for Panetolikos.

Nikos Karelis
Karelis with Greece U21 in September 2011
Personal information
Full name Nikolaos Karelis[1]
Date of birth (1992-02-24) 24 February 1992
Place of birth Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 Panetolikos
Number 16
Youth career
2006–2007 Ergotelis
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2012 Ergotelis 30 (1)
2012–2013 Amkar Perm 9 (0)
2013–2016 Panathinaikos 83 (29)
2016–2019 Genk 56 (23)
2018–2019 → PAOK (loan) 5 (0)
2019–2020 Brentford 4 (0)
2020–2021 ADO Den Haag 9 (0)
2021– Panetolikos 0 (0)
National team‡
2009–2010 Greece U17 5 (3)
2008–2011 Greece U19 20 (3)
2010–2014 Greece U21 18 (9)
2014– Greece 19 (3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:57, 30 January 2021 (UTC).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:30, 25 August 2019 (UTC)

Club career

Ergotelis

Born in Arkalochori, Heraklion, Karelis began playing football at the age of six, when his father, a retired footballer, signed him up at the infrastructure segments of Ergotelis. Karelis started training with the men's team at age 14 and signed his first professional contract with the club at the age of 15.[3] He made his debut on 20 April 2008, on the final day of the 2007–2008 Greek Super League, entering as a second-half substitute (78 minute) in Ergotelis' 2–0 victory over Skoda Xanthi, thus becoming the youngest player to have ever been fielded for Ergotelis in a Super League match.[4]

Karelis soon drew the attention of Premier League club Arsenal, and was invited to London to take part in a ten-day trial.[5] He joined Arsenal’s under 16s and travelled with them to Italy to take part in the Atalanta u16s Cup Tournament. Karelis scored two goals for the Gunners and made a strong impression, helping Arsenal win the cup, beating Juventus in the final on penalties.[6] Having already signed a new contract with Ergotelis, a possible transfer move to the Premier League side was postponed, and eventually never completed.

In the 2008–09 season, Karelis was sidelined, making only two senior appearances adding up a total of 17 minutes of play. In August 2009 he was offered a new three-year contract.[7] Karelis featured more in the 2009–10 season, making six appearances, predominantly as cover for veteran strikers Māris Verpakovskis and Sergio Leal. Karelis scored during a friendly game vs. Olympiacos, on 6 September 2009 commemorating Ergotelis' 80th anniversary, netting in the fifth to complete his club's win over the reigning champions in a memorable 5–0 victory.[8]

Karelis had his best season for Ergotelis in the 2010–11 Superleague, playing a total of 13 times, two of which as a starter. He also scored his first Super League goal in the final fixture, converting a penalty kick in a 4–0 away win vs. Panserraikos.[9] He added another 9 appearances in the 2011–12 season, in which the club was eventually relegated to the Football League. Following Ergotels's relegation, Karelis decided to move on and despite reported interest from other Super League clubs, signed with Russian Premier League side Amkar Perm.[10]

Amkar Perm

On July 2012 he signed with Russian Premier League side Amkar Perm. Karelis appeared predominantly as a substitute.

Panathinaikos

On 30 July 2013, Karelis signed for Panathinaikos a three-year contract, with Amkar Perm retaining a 20% sell-on-clause. He made his Panathinaikos debut on 18 August 2013 in a 2–0 home win against Panetolikos. He scored his first two goals for the club on the 24 Novemeer 2013 in a 3–1 home win against PAS Giannena. On 26 April 2014, he scored the third goal to help secure the first trophy of his career in a 4–1 win against PAOK in the Greek Cup final.[11][12] On 15 February 2015, in a match with OFI Crete, he scored two goals, helping Panathinaikos to a 3–2 away win. Following Nano, Abdul Jeleel Ajagun and Thanasis Dinas, Nikos Karelis signed a contract on increased terms with Panathinaikos until the summer of 2018.[13]

In May 2019, after scoring 16 goals, prior to Superleague playoffs (13 in the Superleague, 2 in Europa League and 1 in the Greek Cup), Karelis was linked with moves to Torino and Werder Bremen.[14] On 31 May 2015, Panathinaikos reportedly turned down a Lille bid for Karelis.[15][16] In summer 2015, Anderlecht[17][18][19] and Getafe CF[20][21] were linked with possibles moves during the summer transfer window.

On 28 July 2015, a penalty from Karelis clinched a 2–1 win for Panathinaikos against Club Brugge, in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League of the third qualifying round.[22] He started the 2015–16 season by scoring in a 2–1 away win against Panetolikos. On 28 October 2015, despite Karelis lower productivity in the season, is still attracting Genk's interest, for the upcoming transfer window. Genk tried to lure the Greek striker away from Panathinaikos over the summer but the Greens rejected two bids for his services.[23] He left the club as the first scorer of the first half of the 2015–16 season with 9 goals and 5 assists.

Genk

On 12 January 2016, Karelis signed a 3.5 year-contract with Genk, with Panathinaikos keeping a 16% next transfer percentage.[24] He made his debut for the club on 15 January 2016 at home to Waregem, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute for Alejandro Pozuelo and then scoring the winning goal in the 88th minute to give Genk's 10 men a 2–1 victory.[25][26] On 3 February 2016, he scored in the 1–1 draw against Standard Liège but the result was not enough to see them through to the next round of the Belgian Cup.[27] On 13 February 2016, Karelis scored a brace one with a kick in a 6–1 win against Waasland-Beveren.[28] On 28 February 2016, he opened the score with a penalty kick in a 3–2 home win against Club Brugge.[29] On 5 March 2016, he opened the score after an assist from Alejandro Pozuelo in a 2–1 away loss against Standard Liège.[30] On 1 May 2016, he scored the only goal as a substitute, in a 3–1 away loss against Club Brugge.[31] On the last home game for the season, he scored the last goal as a substitute in a 5–2 victory against rivals Anderlecht for the play offs.[32] On 29 May 2015, in the last game of Play-offs Finals against Charleroi he scored a hat-trick, his first in the season, helping his club to win the exit to next Europa League' season, arrived at 10 goals in his first season in Belgian Pro League.[33][34]

In his first match for the 2016–17 season Karelis opened the score after an in a 2–1 home win against Oostende.[35] On 21 September 2016, he scored four times in his team's 4–0 away victory against Aalst for the Belgian Cup.[36] On 29 September 2016, he scored his first international goal for the season when he opened the score in a 3–1 home Europa League Group stage match against Italian club Sassuolo.[37] On 2 October 2016, he equalised with a penalty kick the score in a 2–1 home win against KV Mechelen.[38] On 15 October 2016, he netted both goals against Mouscron, helping his club to escape with a valuable 2–2 away draw.[39] On 23 October 2016, he netted the only goal helping his club to acquire a valuable win against Sint-Truidense for the Belgian Pro League.[40] On 26 October 2016, a lackluster start by the home side Charleroi was punished after four minutes as Genk's Mbwana Samatta headed a corner towards the far post and there Karelis surprised everyone with his seventh goal of the season, opening the score in a 2–1 away loss.[41] On 29 October 2016, he scored his second goal in a Pro League 2–1 home game against Westerlo,[42] extended his run of scoring to a record of 5 matches, became the League top goalscorer so far.[43] On 24 November 2016, in a UEFA Europa League group stage home match against Rapid Wien he fired in Genk's early winner from close range after Leon Bailey's header hits the bar, being the MVP of the match.[44] On 14 December 2016, he scored three goals in an overtime win against Charleroi helping Genk advance to the semi-finals of the Belgian Cup.[45] On 27 December 2016, he scored with a penalty kick in a 2–0 home win against Gent, but at the very beginning of the second half faced a cruciate ligament rupture that probably kept him out of the team for at least 8 months. Karelis was injured early in the second half on a play that did not involve a foul or even a challenge. Karelis was simply dribbling the ball as fell hard on his left knee, causing the ACL rupture.[46][47]

On 19 October 2017, Karelis returned to the pitch after a difficult recovery process (290 days to be exact) from his ruptured ACL injury. The Greek striker played 45 minutes with Genk’s second team in a friendly match against Lokeren,[48] and a week later he made his debut with the first team as a substitute in a 0–0 away game against Kortrijk. On 17 December 2017, in his 7th appearance in the squad, after his injury, scored with the head helping his club to acquire a vital 1–1 away draw against rivals Charleroi. [49] On 9 February 2018, since returning from a serious injury earlier in the season, the 25-year old has struggled for goals, not always in the Genk starting line-up. Nevertheless, Karelis managed to score his second goal in the 2017–18 season in a 3–1 win against Zulte Waregem. Seventeen minutes after the match began, a poor error allowed Karelis to go clean through with the goalkeeper. His first effort was saved, but he picked up the rebound to steer the ball into the unguarded net. Karelis then registered an assist for Genk’s second goal, later leaving the pitch with five minutes remaining.[50] On 17 February 2018, Karelis scored his third of the season for Genk, helping his team claim an entertaining 2–2 draw against Club Brugge in the Jupiler League. In the 11th minute Karelis escaped the attentions of the Brugge defence, calmly slotting beyond opposing goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer into the far left corner. However, there was a sting in the tail, as Karelis failed to convert a penalty in the second half.[51] On 23 February 2018, he scored for third consecutive game after an assist from Joakim Mæhle in a 4–0 home win game against Antwerp.[52]

Loan to PAOK

In the summer of 2018, PAOK showed an interest in the Greek international, but the transfer fee of €5 million was prohibitive for the club.[53] Karelis joined PAOK at the transfer deadline day on a loan deal.[54] On 15 September he made his debut with the club as a starter in a 3–1 away win game against OFI. On 20 December 2018, he scored a brace in a comfortable 6–0 away win against Aittitos Spata for the Greek Cup.[55]

Brentford

On 22 August 2019, free agent Karelis signed for English Championship side, Brentford, initially on a 1 year deal with an option for another year.[56] In October 2019 he suffered a 'serious' knee injury.[57] He was released at the end of the season after a difficult recovery process (194 days to be exact) from his ruptured ACL injury.

ADO Den Haag

On 8 October 2020, ADO Den Haag has strengthened itself with the signing of the Greek international Nikos Karelis as a free transfer. The 28-year-old striker signed a one-year contract, with an option for another season. He has been without a club since his contract with Championship club Brentford was not renewed last summer.[58]

Panetolikos

On 30 January 2021, Karelis returned to the Superleague Greece, signing a contract with Panetolikos, until the summer of 2022, on a free transfer.[59]

International career

Karelis has represented Greece with the youth teams.

In his full international debut with the Greek national team he scored against Finland in Helsinki during the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying. In that 1–1 away draw, the risk that Greece coach Claudio Ranieri took by introducing a previously unseen forward lineup (Charalampos Mavrias, Nikos Karelis and Stefanos Athanasiadis) seemed to pay off in the first half, but the lack of experience told in the second as the Greeks could not hold on to their lead and risked losing all three points, besides the fact that with 24 minutes on the clock the ball fell to Karelis who unleashed a swerving shot from the left that swung its way to the left corner of the Finnish goal for 1–0.[60]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 30 January 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe[nb 1] Other[nb 2] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ergotelis 2007–08 Superleague Greece 1000——10
2008–09[61] 2000——20
2009–10[61] 6000——60
2010–11[61] 12110——131
2011–12[61] 9000——90
Total 30110——311
Amkar Perm 2012–13[61] Russian Premier League 9011——100
Panathinaikos 2013–14[62] Superleague Greece 32593―00418
2014–15[62] 36165192005019
2015–16[62] 1683041—239
Total 84291741330011436
Genk 2015–16[62] Belgian Pro League 181021——2011
2016–17[62] 18937112—3218
2017–18[62] 2042000—224
Total 562378112―7433
PAOK 2018–19[61] Superleague Greece 504310—103
Brentford 2019–20[63] Championship 4000000040
ADO Den Haag 2020–21[62] Eredivisie 9010——100
Career total 1985331152550025473
  1. Includes Europa League, Champions League
  2. Includes Super League Greece play-offs, Championship playoffs

International
As of 7 August 2020.[64]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Greece 201431
201570
201671
201821
Total193

International goals
Scores and results list Greece's goal tally first.[64]
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.11 October 2014Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland Finland1–01–1UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
2.24 March 2016Karaiskakis Stadium, Pireaus, Greece Montenegro2–12–1Friendly
3.27 March 2018Letzigrund, Zürich, Switzerland Egypt1–01–0Friendly

Honours

Panathinaikos

PAOK

References
  1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Brentford" (PDF). English Football League. p. 9. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  2. "Nikolaos Karelis – Forward – First Team – Brentford FC". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  3. "Κασετίνα… Καρέλης! (Greek)". gazzetta.gr. 17 February 2014.
  4. "Διεθνής Ένωσις Εργοτέλης – Skoda Ξάνθη 2–0 (Greek)". Ergotelis FC. 20 April 2008.
  5. "Arsenal hand Greek wonderkid a trial". The Guardian. 30 April 2008.
  6. "Greek wonderkid completes trial with Arsenal scoring two goals in Italian tournament". Arsenal Analysis. 5 May 2008.
  7. "ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΗ (Greek)". Ergotelis FC. 6 August 2009.
  8. "ΔΙΕΘΝΗΣ ΕΝΩΣΙΣ ΕΡΓΟΤΕΛΗΣ-ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΟΣ 5–0 (Greek)". Ergotelis FC. 6 September 2009.
  9. "ΠΑΝΣΕΡΡΑΪΚΟΣ – ΔΙΕΘΝΗΣ ΕΝΩΣΙΣ ΕΡΓΟΤΕΛΗΣ 0–4 (Greek)". Ergotelis FC. 17 April 2011.
  10. "Υπέγραψε στην Άμκαρ ο Καρέλης (Greek)". contra.gr. 30 July 2012.
  11. "PAOK-Panathinaikos 1–4". 26 April 2014.
  12. Τα καλύτερα από τον τελικό Κυπέλλου (in Greek). 26 April 2014.
  13. ""Πράσινος" ο Καρέλης έως το 2018" (in Greek). 15 December 2014.
  14. "Torino, Werder interested in acquiring Karelis". 11 May 2015.
  15. ""Όχι" για Καρέλη" (in Greek). 31 May 2015.
  16. "Panathinaikos reject Lille bid for Karelis". 31 May 2015.
  17. "Anderlecht for Karelis and Goutas". sdna.gr. 27 June 2015.
  18. "Anderlecht scoutet in Griechenland". www.anderlecht-online.be. 27 June 2015.
  19. "'Anderlecht wil gaan shoppen in Griekenland en bracht al bod uit'". www.voetbalkrant.com. 27 June 2015.
  20. "Getafe enter Karelis race". www.sdna.gr. 21 July 2015.
  21. "Getafe deny Karelis bid". www.sdna.gr. 22 July 2015.
  22. "Monaco defeat Young Boys, Van Persie can't find Fenerbahce breakthrough". www.espnfc.com. 28 July 2015.
  23. "Karelis remains in Genk shortlist". www.sdna.gr. 28 November 2015.
  24. "Genk announce Karelis' transfer". www.sdna.gr. 12 January 2016.
  25. "Debutant Karelis bezorgt tien Genk-spelers het delirium". sporza.be. 16 January 2016. Archived from the original on 17 January 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  26. "Nikos Karelis Goal Genk 2 1 Zulte Waregem 15 01 2016 HD". www.viralvideos.gr. 16 January 2016. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  27. "Karelis pleased from his form at Genk". www.sdna.gr. 3 February 2016.
  28. "Racing Genk tankt vertrouwen met ruime zege tegen Waasland-Beveren". sporza.be. 13 February 2016.
  29. "Club gaat met 3–2 onderuit op Genk". clubbrugge.be. 28 February 2016.
  30. "Standard Liege vs Genk". www.eurosport.co.uk. 5 March 2016.
  31. "Ο Διαμαντάκος και οι άλλοι..." www.sport24.gr. 3 May 2016.
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  33. "Με χατ-τρικ του Καρέλη στην Ευρώπη η Γκενκ". www.sport24.gr. 29 May 2016.
  34. "Karelis schiet Genk met hattrick alsnog naar Europa League". www.nieuwsblad.be. 29 May 2016.
  35. "Racing Genk-Oostende 2–1". sporza.be. 31 July 2016.
  36. "Απίστευτος Καρέλης, πέτυχε τέσσερα γκολ!". www.contra.gr. 21 September 2016.
  37. "Genk-Sassuolo 3–1". www.napolisport.net. 29 September 2016.
  38. "Genk wint tegen KV Mechelen". www.voetbalkrant.com. 2 October 2016.
  39. "Match nul entre Mouscron et Genk (2–2)". www.lalibre.be. 15 October 2016.
  40. "Racing Genk – Sint-Truiden 1–0". www.voetbalkrant.com. 23 October 2016.
  41. "Verslag van Charleroi – RC Genk (2–1)". sporza.be. 26 October 2016.
  42. "Pozuelo en weer Karelis rollen Westerlo in sneltempo op na rust (2–1)". www.hln.be. 29 October 2016.
  43. "Σκόρερς ξανά Νίνης και Καρέλης!". www.sport24.gr. 29 October 2016.
  44. "KRC Genk – Rapid Wien 1–0". www.hbvl.be. 24 November 2016.
  45. "Χατ-τρικ πρόκρισης ο Καρέλης". www.sport24.gr. 14 December 2016.
  46. "RC Genk verteert het ontslag van Peter Maes probleemloos tegen AA Gent". sporza.be. 27 December 2016.
  47. "Κοντέ: "Σημαντικός ο Καρέλης, κρίμα που θα μείνει τόσο καιρό εκτός"". www.sport24.gr. 28 December 2016.
  48. "NIKOS KARELIS RETURNS AFTER 10 MONTH INJURY". www.agonasport.com. 19 October 2017.
  49. "CHARLEROI – GENK (1–1): UN PARTAGE QUI N'ARRANGE PAS LES ZÈBRES ET QUI NE FAIT PAS DU TOUT LES AFFAIRES DU RACING". www.sudinfo.be. 17 December 2017.
  50. "Genk wint eindelijk nog eens thuis en doet gouden zaak voor Play-off I". sporza.be. 9 February 2018.
  51. "Vierde puntenverlies op rij voor Club na match met 3 elfmeters". sporza.be. 17 February 2018.
  52. "Antwerp doet slechte zaak in strijd om Play-Off 1 na zware nederlaag bij Genk". www.gva.be. 23 February 2018.
  53. "Luidt de komst van Gano een volgend vertrek in? KRC Genk vraagt 5 miljoen euro voor goalgetter". www.voetbalkrant.com. 6 July 2018.
  54. Αυγ. 2018 18:48, Επιμέλεια: Σάββας Τζιομπάνογλου Δημοσίευση: 31. "Στον ΠΑΟΚ ο Καρέλης!". www.sport24.gr.
  55. "Αήττητος Σπάτων – ΠΑΟΚ 0–6". www.gazzetta.gr. 20 December 2018.
  56. "STRIKER NIKOS KARELIS JOINS BRENTFORD". www.brentfordfc.com. 22 August 2019.
  57. "Nikos Karelis: Brentford striker out with 'serious' knee injury". 28 October 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  58. "Καρέλης: Επίσημα στη Ντε Χάαγκ". www.sport24.gr. 8 October 2020.
  59. "Παναιτωλικός: Υπέγραψε ο Καρέλης" (in Greek). Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  60. "Karelis's goal was not enough for Greece". ekathimerini.com. 12 October 2014.
  61. Nikos Karelis at Soccerway
  62. Nikos Karelis at WorldFootball.net
  63. "Games played by Nikos Karelis in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  64. "Nikos Karelis". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
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