It’s almost been a month since Greek winger Savvas Siatravanis landed in Australia and having featured in a few pre-season trials in recent weeks, has fallen in love with the new style of play Manager Arthur Papas is implementing.
After hearing about Australia and the Isuzu UTE A-League from various friends and teammates, Siatravanis’ interest in leaving his home nation had been captured.
However, it was just a single conversation with Papas that fully convinced the 28-year-old to jump on a plane.
“When the boss (Papas) called me and told me about the style of football this team wants to bring, I didn’t think about it, I said to him ‘I wanted to come to Australia,” Siatravanis said.
“We spoke about Australia and about the A-League and I liked it.
“This style is new to me and the reason I want to come to training. I love the style of training”
The 28-year-old arrives in Australia with over ten years of experience in the Greece Super League, but this marks his first time playing in another country.
Hailing from Larisa, all Savvas ever wanted to be was a professional footballer. He achieved that when he signed his first professional contract at the age of 16 for his hometown club.
While coming to Australia is a challenge for the winde-man, he believes he and the Club suit one another.
“When I was young, I wanted to be a football player, so this [coming to Australia] was a dream for me,” he said.
“I work really hard and I think I can bring some goals this year.I am a winger and this is my job.
“I love football and I think this style is something new in Australia and it suits me and the other players.”
Savvas joins the Jets after previously playing for Xanthi FC where he spent last season with fellow new arrivals Matt Jurman and Beka Mikeltadze.
Both Jurman and Mikeltadze have helped ease the challenge of the transition, but as have the rest of the team who Savvas mentions has become “like a family.”
Despite being in a new country, and without his family who are set to arrive once international flights re-open, the new recruit is feeling at home amongst the team as they continue their Round One preparations.
“The spirit inside this team is unbelievable,” he said.
“In training, we just keep improving. There’s many new players in the team so we need to keep close to each other.”
Get your 2021/22 Newcastle Jets Membership today!
