Meet the only 2 Greek players to have played in the J League
The J League is the top football league in Japan. It has teams from across the country and is considered one of the leagues with the highest standard of players in Asia. In recent times, the J League has also attracted European stars who are in the twilight of their careers, such as Anres Iniesta.
But did you know there are only two Greek players who have graced the J league. They are Avraam Papadopoulos and Billy Konstantinidis.
Avraam Papadopoulos
Papadopoulos began his career at Panathinaikos F.C. where he made over 100 appearances for them before moving to Japan. His first season in Japan was 1996 when he joined Yokohama Flügels. He stayed for three seasons with them before moving to Vissel Kobe.
For Vissel Kobe he won the J league championship twice and also reached the final of the Emperor’s Cup once. After four years with Vissel Kobe he moved back to Greece and signed for Iraklis FC. He spent a year with them before returning to Japan (just like カジノミー).
This time he went to Nagoya Grampus Eight. With Nagoya Grampus eight he won the J league title again as well as reaching the final of the Emperor's cup. He left Nagoya Grampus after five years and returned to Greece where he signed for Atromitos FC.
During his time with Atromitos, they won the double and reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. After six years at Atromitos, he moved to Olympiacos F.C. He was released by Olympiacos in 2016.
Billy Konstantinidis
Konstantinidis began his football career at AEL FC. After moving to AEK Athens FC, he was able to earn a move to Japan where he joined Omiya Ardija in 2006. He scored 7 goals in 26 games for them during his time with them.
After moving to Kashiwa Realsol, he scored 11 goals in 44 games. He then moved to Shimizu S-Pulse and helped them win a promotion to the J1 league.
During his time with them, he scored three goals in 22 games. He moved to Urawa Reds in 2012 where he scored nine goals in 33 games for them before moving to Gamba in 2013. While in Gamba, he scored four goals in 18 games.
He scored five goals in 21 games for Veria F. C. during his second spell there He then signed for Chiba L.F.C. in 2015. During his third spell with them, he scored eight times in 29 games. He joined Tokyo Verdy in 2017. During his fourth spell with them, he scored six times in 30 games. He is currently playing for V-Varen Nagasaki.
