Sponsored By

Air Partner
0207 538 2273

Everton signed Apostolos Vellios from Greek side Iraklis Thessaloniki in January 2011.

He joined for a nominal fee in a deal which will keep him at the Club until 2014.

Hailing from the northern Greek city, the 6"3 forward was a member of Saloniki's youth academy from the age of five and progressed through their ranks to their first team.

His father, Kostas Vellios, also played for Iraklis at senior level.  He made his debut for Iraklis in the Greek top flight against Skoda Xanthi in April 2009 at just 17 years of age.

He scored his first professional goal for the club later in the 2009/10 campaign against Olympiakos at the Karaiskakis Stadium, netting an equaliser late into stoppage time.   

Vellios appeared 22 times for Iraklis, scoring four goals in the Greek league before his switch to Merseyside. Media reports had also linked him with Fulham, Olympiacos and AEK Athens before his move to Goodison.

His impressive performances for his hometown club earned him international honours for Greece at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 level. At the time of his arrival on Merseyside, he had made 14 appearances for the Under-19s, netting seven goals.

He was the Blues’ only permanent signing of the 2011 January transfer window and immediately linked-up with the reserve team squad.

Vellios made a bright start for the second string and scored his first goal in a 5-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers Reserves in February.

The Greek forward was given his first team debut in April 2011, coming on as a second half substitute in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at Goodison Park. 

In September 2011 Vellios scored his first goal for the Blues as they beat Wigan Athletic 3-1 at Goodison Park.

The following month the Greek striker scored within 19 seconds of coming on against Chelsea in a 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge. A week later Vellios was handed his first Premier League start in Everton's 3-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.