Christos Karipidis (; born 2 December 1982) is a Greek former professional footballer who played as a centre back. Managerial career from PAOK (Technical director)
Club career
Early Career (PAOK, Kerkyra and Kavala) Karipidis started his career in U20 PAOK in 2000 to be promoted the next season in the first team. PAOK has given him to Kavala (2001–2002) and to Kerkyra (2002–2003). He returned to PAOK, where he stayed until 2006 (69 appearances, 3 goals in all competitions) when he made the big step to play abroad accepting the proposal of Hearts.
Hearts He joined Hearts from PAOK on 3 August 2006 for a fee of around £200,000.Karipidis completes Hearts transfer, BBC Sport, 3 August 2006 Karipidis made his Hearts debut against AEK Athens in a third-round UEFA Champions League qualifier at Murrayfield on 9 August 2006Christos Karipidis , heartsfc.co.uk, 26 December 2008 in a defensive midfield role, Hearts lost the game 2–1.Hearts 1-2 AEK Athens, ESPNsoccernet, 9 August 2006
In August 2008 Karipidis looked set for a return to his former club PAOK following an indifferent start to his Hearts career and the birth of his daughter. Hearts negotiated a fee in the region of £200,000 as they looked to recoup the fee they paid to sign him from the Greek club 2 years earlier and he was offered a four-year deal by PAOK.Hearts star Karipidis set for Greece return, Edinburgh Evening News, 1 August 2008 However, newly appointed manager Csaba László convinced Karipidis to stay and decided to use him as a holding midfielder, an idea which was initially met with a negative reaction by Hearts fans. Karipidis himself insisted he was happy to play anywhere László decided.Karipidis desperate for derby delight , teamtalk.com, 26 December 2008 Despite having played most of his career as either a central defender or occasionally a right-back Karipidis performed well in his new role, prompting László to say "Karipidis, at the moment, is the discovery of the year in the number six position."Hearts' Karipidis factor proves Laszlo's worth, Scotsman.com Sport, 18 December 2008
In February 2009, captain Christophe Berra signed for Wolves and Karipidis was made Hearts' vice-captain after teammate Robbie Neilson was given the captaincy.
On 27 April 2009 Hearts announced that Karipidis had a pre-contract agreement with Omonia Nicosia which would see him join the Cypriot side on a three-year deal at the end of the season. He stated that although he had enjoyed his time in Scotland, the move was motivated by his desire to be closer to his home and relatives in Greece.Christos: Total focus Heartsfc.co.uk, 27 April 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2009Hearts' Kari on his way to Cyprus Edinburgh Evening News, 27 April 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2009 His final appearance at Tynecastle came in a 3–0 victory over Dundee United which confirmed Hearts' place in the Europa League for the following season and third place in the SPL. He was replaced by Jason Thomson in the closing stages of the match and received a standing ovation from the Hearts fans.Hearts 3-0 Dundee United BBC Sport, 16 May 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2009
Cyprus (Omonia / APOEL / Apollon) Omonia announced the signing of Karipidis on 1 June 2009. His first season wasn't good enough with Christos having problems to settle, but he had a solid second season and he became the defensive leader of the team. After the end of the season he was named new season's vice captain. On 22 August 2012, his contract at Omonia terminated by mutual consent.
On 26 August 2012, Karipidis signed a two-year contract with APOEL. At the end of the season, he became a champion after helping APOEL to win the 2012–13 Cypriot First Division. On 10 July 2013, his contract with APOEL was mutually terminated.
On 11 July 2013, Karipidis signed a one-year contract with the option of a further season with Apollon Limassol.
Rerurn to Greece After five years playing among the top clubs in Cyprus, Karipidis returned to Greece signing a two years' contract with Skoda Xanthi.Καρυπίδης: «Με έλκυσε το πλάνο της Ξάνθης», 1 August 2014Καρυπίδης: «Καλύτερα από οτι είχα στο μυαλό μου» , 1 August 2014 After two years he mutually settled his contract with the club.
On 4 June 2016, he signed a year contract with Platanias for an undisclosed fee.Ανακοίνωσε Καρυπίδη ο Πλατανιάς, 4 June 2016
International career Karipidis was a part of the Greece football squad at the 2004 Summer Olympics, but he did not play a single minute in the competition.
Karipidis had a good start with the 2008-09 season former Hearts player and current technical director of the Hellenic Football Federation, when Takis Fyssas announced that Karipidis was in the plans of the Greece national team.Hearts' Karipidis on Greece radar thanks to old mate Fyssas, Edinburgh Evening News, 1 October 2008
Personal life
He hails from Anagennisi, Serres.
Honours Omonia Cypriot First Division: 1 2009–10 Cypriot Cup: 2 2010–11, 2011–12 LTV Super Cup: 1 2010
APOEL Cypriot First Division: 1 2012–13
References
External links