Extremadura UD has reached an agreement with the player Charalambos Stamboulidis (Australia, 1996), better known as HARIS STAMBOULIDIS, for the signing of the Oceania player for a season.
Haris, who has Greek ancestry and has dual nationality (Greek and Australian), plays in the position of left-right-central defense, although he can also play in the midfield where he has done so in several teams.
He measures 1.86 and arrives free after playing in the Aris FC of Thessaloniki of the Greek Super League.
The player becomes the first Australian footballer in the history of Extremadura UD. He has been an international with the under-20 categories of Greece and has gone through several leagues.
He has played the Australian Premier Division with Heideberg United FC and Melbourne City FC; the American NCAA with Columbia University; the American MSL with the Colorado Rapids and since 2018 he has played in Greek football.
Haris breaks the Oceania barrier distance to Almendralejo to wear the “Azulgranas” ( Great Blues) for Extremadura UD of the La Liga 2 SmartBank League.
THE FACTS RE THIS
HISTORIC TRANSFER
- This makes Haris currently the only Australian outfield player who will be playing in Spain’s La Liga 1 or La Liga.
2 since John Aloisi (2007) & Aurelio Vidmar (1998). (of course goalkeeper Matty Ryan was at Valencia a few years ago).
- Extremadura UD (was CF founded in 1924) is Rafael Benitez’s first La Liga coaching job & Jose Reyes’ last team before his tragic accident.
- Last year Extremadura UD finished midtable in the 22 team La Liga 2, with history in La Liga 1, last in 1999. La Liga 2 is highly ranked and currently is regarded the 6th best European League and breeding ground for La Liga 1.
4.The only other foreigners at Extremadura is one player from Uruguay and an international from Ganna.
5.After a hard 1st year as a pro with Aris FC, Haris chose Extremadura UD as the best place to launch his senior career ahead of 6 other Spanish Clubs, where as much game time as possible was the main reason for his choice.
