Niko Gkionis
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Gkionis is a Cypriot/American footballer, who is currently playing for FC Atlas Brussels.
. The following summer he departed for Europe, having the opportunity to train with Cypriot top flight club AC Omonia
. Upon return from Cyprus he made his way into collegiate soccer, joining top-tier Division III side Stevens Institute of Technology.
At Stevens he made 88 starts in four years, with a total of 22 goals in 90 appearances. A two-time all-Metro Region first-team selection, he was named a first-team NSCAA All-American in his senior season 2006, as well as being named Skyline Conference Player of the Year. That senior season he racked up an impressive scoring haul of 9 goals and 8 assists, good for 26 total points and a fourth highest scoring total in the side as a centreback.
of the Cypriot Second Division
for the 2007-2008 season. Following a successful season in which he made 23 appearances and scored 3 goals, Niko made the attempt to jump to English football, going on trial with Crewe Alexandra F.C.
, Accrington Stanley F.C.
, and Barnsley F.C.
Though not securing a contract in the three attempts, Gkionis got a valuable glimpse at the higher levels of the game, and received plaudits from those he attempted to impress. Barnsley manager Simon Davey praised Gkionis' technical ability, work rate, mental awareness, anticipation, and general knowledge and understanding of the game, stating that "[Nick] did well to prove to us that he was a player who could play at our level."
of the Belgian Promotion D
, the fourth tier of Belgian Football. He made 26 appearances during the season, scoring four goals. More importantly, his play earned him looks from higher-tier clubs in the country, and for 2009-2010 he saw himself making a two-division jump to the fully professional EXQI League
, joining R.F.C. de Liège
. He impressed in his opportunities to play for the club, scoring a single goal in 13 appearances, but a change in management and direction in the midst of a relegation fight saw him depart for Excelsior Veldwezelt in the winter transfer window. Playing in the Belgian Third Division B
, he made 13 more appearances for the season and scored an impressive five goals for the club.
His primary positions are as a defensive midfielder or central defender, though he can also play as a central midfielder.
Youth Years
Niko participated in the most elite tier of American youth soccer. As a member of the then-Metrostars (now New York Red Bulls) u-19 side, he reached the North American final of the Super Y-LeagueSuper Y-League
The Super Y-League is the highest form of American and Canadian youth soccer. It consists of over 100 teams, many of which are operated by clubs from MLS to PDL.- Age groups :The Super Y-League has these following age groups:*U-12*U-13*U-14*U-15...
. The following summer he departed for Europe, having the opportunity to train with Cypriot top flight club AC Omonia
AC Omonia
Athletic Club Omonoia Nicosia is a professional football club that plays in the Cyprus capital city Nicosia. The club was established in 1948 and became a member of the Cyprus Football Association in 1953...
. Upon return from Cyprus he made his way into collegiate soccer, joining top-tier Division III side Stevens Institute of Technology.
Stevens Institute
At Stevens he made 88 starts in four years, with a total of 22 goals in 90 appearances. A two-time all-Metro Region first-team selection, he was named a first-team NSCAA All-American in his senior season 2006, as well as being named Skyline Conference Player of the Year. That senior season he racked up an impressive scoring haul of 9 goals and 8 assists, good for 26 total points and a fourth highest scoring total in the side as a centreback.
2. Cyprus and England Trials
Upon graduation, Gkionis made the decision to continue his playing career and made a move to Europe, first joining up with MEAP NisouMEAP Nisou
MEAP Nisou is a Cypriot football club from the town of Nisou. Club's official name is Mikti Erithrou Astera Proodou . The club was founded in the small town of Nisou near the city of Nicosia. The club is currently playing in the Cypriot Fourth Division.-Current squad:...
of the Cypriot Second Division
Cypriot Second Division
- Structure :Fourteen clubs compete in the league, playing each other twice, once at home and once away for a total of 26 games per team. The topthree clubs are promoted to the first division and the bottom three are relegated to the third division.- Teams :...
for the 2007-2008 season. Following a successful season in which he made 23 appearances and scored 3 goals, Niko made the attempt to jump to English football, going on trial with Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
, Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system....
, and Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
Though not securing a contract in the three attempts, Gkionis got a valuable glimpse at the higher levels of the game, and received plaudits from those he attempted to impress. Barnsley manager Simon Davey praised Gkionis' technical ability, work rate, mental awareness, anticipation, and general knowledge and understanding of the game, stating that "[Nick] did well to prove to us that he was a player who could play at our level."
Move to Belgium
For the 2008-2009 season, Niko eventually landed with R.R.F.C. MontegnéeR.R.F.C. Montegnée
Royal Racing Football Club Montegnée is a Belgian association football club from the municipality of Saint-Nicolas, Liège. It is currently playing in the Belgian Promotion D.- History :...
of the Belgian Promotion D
Belgian Promotion D
The Belgian Promotion D is one of the four leagues at the fourth level of the Belgian football league system, the other ones being the Belgian Promotion A, B and C. This division has existed since the 1952-53 season and is played every year with 16 clubs in each league.The season is divided into...
, the fourth tier of Belgian Football. He made 26 appearances during the season, scoring four goals. More importantly, his play earned him looks from higher-tier clubs in the country, and for 2009-2010 he saw himself making a two-division jump to the fully professional EXQI League
Belgian Second Division
The Belgian Second Division is the second-highest division in the Belgian football league system after the Belgian Pro League. It was created by the Belgian Football Association in 1905. Between 2008 and 2010 it was named EXQI League after a television channel owned by the league main sponsor,...
, joining R.F.C. de Liège
R.F.C. de Liège
Royal Football Club de Liège is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège. It currently plays in the Belgian Third Division. Its matricule is 4, meaning that it was the fourth club to register with the country's national federation, and the club was the first Belgian champion in history...
. He impressed in his opportunities to play for the club, scoring a single goal in 13 appearances, but a change in management and direction in the midst of a relegation fight saw him depart for Excelsior Veldwezelt in the winter transfer window. Playing in the Belgian Third Division B
Belgian Third Division B
The Belgian Third Division B is one of the two leagues at the third level of the Belgian football league system, the other one being the Belgian Third Division A. This division has existed since the 1952-53 season and is played every year with 16 clubs...
, he made 13 more appearances for the season and scored an impressive five goals for the club.
Positions
His primary positions are as a defensive midfielder or central defender, though he can also play as a central midfielder.