Steve Pantelidis
Steve Pantelidis | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 17, 1983 Australia |
| Occupation | Soccer player (retired) |
| Years active | 2000s–2010s |
| Known for | Central defender in A-League; Melbourne Victory, Gold Coast United, Perth Glory |
Steve Pantelidis (born 17 August 1983) is a retired Australian soccer athlete who operated primarily as a central defender.
Early career
Pantelidis demonstrated significant promise early on by competing in Victoria's state championships, which led to his selection for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). Following his development there, he signed with Altona East Phoenix in the Victorian Premier League, earning the player of the year accolade in his sophomore season.
Denmark
At the age of 19, Pantelidis secured a contract with Danish side FC Aarhus after impressing during his time at Altona East Phoenix.
Return to Australia
After a six-month spell in Denmark, Pantelidis returned to Australia to join Melbourne Knights in the National Soccer League (NSL). During his tenure with Melbourne Knights, he represented Australia at the Under-20 level and competed in the World Cup held in the United Arab Emirates, where the team advanced to the quarterfinals. Amidst the reorganization of Australia's national competition, he featured for Oakleigh Cannons and Heidelberg United in the Victorian Premier League.
Melbourne Victory
Following standout performances in the Victorian Premier League, Pantelidis was signed by Melbourne Victory FC to compete in the A-League, where he spent four seasons. Throughout this period, he was honored as 'The Age Young Player of the Year' and contributed to securing two A-League Championship titles for the club.
Gold Coast United
In 2009, Pantelidis committed to a two-year contract with newly established A-League franchise Gold Coast United FC, making 49 appearances during his time there.
Medan Bintang FC
After a successful period at Gold Coast United, Pantelidis moved to Indonesia’s Liga Primer by signing a two-year deal with Medan Bintang FC. Within just two weeks, he was appointed captain by former Bundesliga coach Michael Fichenbiger. Following the league’s dissolution, he returned to Australia to join Perth Glory FC in the A-League.
Perth Glory
Pantelidis joined Perth Glory shortly before the commencement of the season and quickly became a fixture in the starting lineup, featuring in 22 consecutive matches as a central defender. He played an integral role in guiding the team to the Grand Final, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to Brisbane Roar amid contentious refereeing decisions. He subsequently extended his contract for an additional two years, committing to Perth through to the 2013–14 campaign.
Selangor
At the conclusion of 2013, Pantelidis transferred to Malaysian Super League outfit Selangor FA, reuniting with former Melbourne Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic.
Honours
With Melbourne Victory:
The Age Young Player of the Year, A-League 2006–07