y Staff Writer
Jul 6 2012 14:31
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AUSSIE Andreas Govas is hoping for a return to Australia and a place in the A-League after honing his skills in the European leagues of England, Greece and France.
The 22 year old Aussie with Greek heritage has been on a Euro odyssey since leaving his hometown of Melbourne at the age of 17 to try his luck overseas.
After spells in the youth sides of state league sides Heidelburg United, Fawkner Blues and Whittlesea Zebras - as well as a year at the VIS - Govas landed a place in Portsmouth's youth academy.
He left the then-EPL side to join fellow Aussie Apostolos Giannou at Greek side Apollon Kalamarias for a season followed by a year with another Greek team, Kozani FC.
The following year he joined former Socceroos Zeljko Kalac, Craig Moore at AO Kavala where he was reunited with Giannou and another Aussie, Robert Stambolziev, but was loaned back to Kozani.
At Kozani he had his most successful spell, playing 22 games and scoring four times, earning a move to Troyes in the French Ligue this year.
But after being unable to break into the first team, Govas is now hoping to make a return to Australia and crack the A-League.
"My aim for this season is to sign for a club where I will get as much game time as possible and prove my worth," he told the website, OS Aussies at osaussies.com. "I am very hungry to prove myself.
"Returning home to play in the A-League is very appealing to me, the level of the A-League is going from strength to strength and it is something I would like to be a part of.
"Walking out onto the pitch in front of a home crowd would be a massive thrill."
Describing himself as a composed, creative midfielder with a dangerous long-distance shot, Govas has been called up by both Greece and Australia at youth level.
But his dream now is to one day wear the green and gold for the senior Socceroos.
"Playing for the Australian senior national team has always been my dream," he said. "I am very proud that I was able to represent both Greece and Australia at youth level.
"I am fiercely proud of my Greek heritage and lived there for many years, so being asked to choose between Greece and Australia is like someone asking me which parent do you love more?
"But if it came down to it, I would chose Australia because I was born and raised here and I feel as though I want to give something back to the game"