Georgios Samaras

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Georgios "Giorgos" Samaras is a former Greek professional footballer born on February 21, 1985, in Iraklio, Greece. He was an attacking midfielder who played for several clubs during his career, including OFI Crete and SC Heerenveen.

Samaras' father, Ioannis Samaras, was also a professional footballer and played for the Greek national team. His love for basketball was evident from an early age, with his father often letting him stay up late to watch Michael Jordan games. This interest in sports led Samaras to join OFI Crete at the age of 10, where he began playing football.

In 1996, after his father retired, Samaras joined SC Heerenveen's youth academy and eventually made his professional debut for the club in the 2002-03 season. During his four-year stint with Heerenveen, Samaras scored 30 goals in 128 games and was courted by several top clubs, including Arsenal FC.

In January 2006, Samaras moved to Manchester City, where he made his English Premier League debut against Newcastle United on February 1st. His first goal for the club came two weeks later, scoring a header in a 2-0 win over Charlton Athletic. He went on to score several more goals for Manchester City and was an integral part of their FA Cup-winning team.

In 2008, Samaras joined Celtic Glasgow, where he experienced his most successful period in football. During his six-season stint with the club, he won four Scottish Championships, twice the Scottish Cup, and once the League Cup. He scored a total of 53 goals for Celtic and was an important player in their success.

After leaving Celtic, Samaras played for West Bromwich Albion before joining Rayo OKC, a US second-division team, in March 2016. Throughout his career, Samaras has represented both the Greek national team and Australia's A-national team, showcasing his versatility as a footballer.

Samaras' father, Ioannis, was also a professional footballer who played for several clubs, including OFI Crete and SC Heerenveen. The two shared a passion for sports, with Samaras often watching basketball games with his father before focusing on his own football career.