Georgios Katidis

Georgios Katidis (Γεώργιος Κατίδης; born 12 February 1993) is a Greek professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder.

On 27 August 2012, Katidis signed a four-year contract with AEK Athens which would keep him at the club until 2016.

AEK Athens and his former club Aris agreed on a €100,000 transfer fee.

He is best known for performing a Nazi salute after scoring a game-winning goal in 2013, which led to his permanent suspension from every level of the Greece national team and his suspension from AEK Athens for the remainder of the 2013 season.

Katidis rose through the youth ranks at Aris and managed to make his debut for the team at 16 years old.

Katidis created an international controversy on 16 March 2013, when he gave a Nazi salute after scoring the winning goal against Veria.

His action drew condemnation from politicians, fans and the media.

He later told the public he was unaware of the gesture's connotations, stating that he just wanted to dedicate the goal to a colleague in the stands.

AEK coach Ewald Lienen remarked that Katidis "doesn't have an idea about politics".

As a result of the salute, the Hellenic Football Federation voted unanimously to give Katidis a lifetime ban from all Greece national teams and he was fined €50,000.

He was furthermore suspended by AEK for the rest of the season.

Italian Serie B side Novara signed Katidis.

Novara's owner Massimo de Salvo said that they would not be 'playing down' the incident.

"We don't have the intention to play down his gesture," he said.

"It was disrespectful to the millions of people that suffered and paid with their lives for those who believed in false ideals and myths."

De Salvo also said Katidis' remorse was a key factor in beginning negotiations with the 20-year-old.

"We want to give him another chance, because we believe that making such a mistake is serious, but acknowledging it is worthy."

The Italian media have dubbed Katidis the 'Greek Di Canio', referring to the former Lazio striker Paolo Di Canio, who caused controversy by giving a Nazi salute whilst celebrating a goal.

Eventually Katidis signed a 1+1 year contract with the club.

On 31 July 2014, Novara announced the end of cooperation with the player.

After being away from Greece for a year, Katidis returned to his home country by signing a two-year contract with Veria.

Giorgos made his official debut on 20 September 2014 in an away loss against Olympiacos in Pireaus.

He made his second appearance against Ermionida in the Greek Cup.

He made his third appearance as a substitute as he replaced Sotiris Balafas against PAS Giannina.

On 26 January 2015, Katidis was released by the club as he didn't impress with his performances.

On 29 January 2015, Katidis penned a 2 1⁄2-year deal with fellow Superleague Greece side Levadiakos.

He made his last appearance with the club in a 1–0 away loss against PAOK.

On 10 January 2016 Katidis signed a year contract with Football League club Panegialios.

On 30 January 2017, Katidis signed a season contract with the Finnish club FF Jaro.

On 4 February 2017, in his first match with the club, Katidis was involved in FF Jaro goals by giving the two assists in a 2–1 Suomen Cup win against SJK.

Two weeks later, he scored a brace in an 8–1 away win against SJK Akatemia for the Suomen Cup.

On 4 March 2017, he scored a brace in a 6–1 home win against FC Jazz for the Suomen Cup.

On 6 May 2017, he made his debut in the League with the club scoring in a 2–0 away win against EIF.

On 7 August 2017, Katidis left FF Jaro, signing a two-year contract with FK Olympia Prague of the Czech National Football League.

On 12 August 2017, he made his debut with the club in a FNL 2–2 home draw against FK Viktoria Žižkov.

On 27 August he netted the only goal in a 1–0 away win against Vlašim.

On 11 July 2018, Katidis signed a two-year contract with 1. FK Příbram of the Czech First League.

On 18 September 2021, George Katidis returns to professional football after almost three years, as he signed for Super League 2 club Irodotos.

The last time to note that the 28-year-old played at a professional level was on November 24, 2018, in the Bohemians Prague vs Pribram match for the Czech championship.

Katidis quickly became under 17, under 19 and then under 21 captain of Greece due to excellent performances while he was still playing for Aris FC.