Kostas Nikolaidis
Kostas Nikolaidis (born 10 September 1944) is a former Greek international striker. During his presence in 1st division of Greek Football he scored 100 goals which ranks him amongst the best scorers in the history of the organisation. Early life. Born in Safrabolis a district of Nea Ionia in Athens, Nikolaidis had also descent from North Epirus, where his father, Elias left in 1918 during the World War I. His love for football brought him on the door of the local PAO Safrabolis' youth team, in 1958 where at the age of 14 made his first tryout in  order to join the club. The tryout was unsuccessful as he has turned down by the team's coach Krassas, but eventually, a year later Nikolaidis managed to join PAO Safrabolis after a second tryout. Club career. Making his first steps in youth team of PAO Safrabolis in 1959, at the age of 15, Nikolaidis established quickly in the ranks of the club making into the first team one year later. After a very successful 6-year, managing to promote the club from the local divisions of Athens to 2nd division of Greece he caught the interest of AEK Athens . In 1965 Nikolaidis, as well as other players from Safrabolis, was transferred at AEK at the age of 21 and became a regular after his impressive performances in the friendlies. There he formed a deadly attacking duo with the legendary Mimis Papaioannou which helped the club's success. During his time at AEK he won 2 Greek Championships and 1 Greek Cup. In 1973 after he was released from AEK Nikolaidis signed for PAS Giannina. There he spent a season winning 2nd division championship and the club was promoted to 1st division. The following season Nikolaidis was transferred to Apollon  Athens, where he played 2 season winning again the 2nd division championship and playing his final season at the top tear of Greece. Except his impressive 100-goal-scoring in the Greek Championship, Nikolaidis managed to score in 8 consecutive league games being one of 4 players that ever achieved that, along with Sideris, Demis Nikolaidis and Mitroglou. In 1976 he joined Olympiakos Neon Liosion, in which finished his career after the end of the 1976–77 season. International career. Nikolaidis earned four caps for Greece between 1971 and 1973. He made his debut on 17 November 1971, in a friendly  match against Bulgaria which ended in a 2–2 draw. He also made 10 appearances with Greece U19. Honours. AEK Athens PAS Giannina Apollon Athens