Wanderers new signing Chris Ikonomidis says he’s ready to get back to his best for the Red & Black.
Wanderers new signing Chris Ikonomidis says he’s ready to get back to his best for the Red & Black.
Hours before the end of deadline day, the Wanderers signed promising winger and Socceroo Chris Ikonomidis on loan from Italian club S.S. Lazio.
The 22-year-old forward has spent much of the last six years of his career in Italy, split between stints at both Atalanta and Lazio.
Ikonomidis began his career in Sydney as a junior for his local club Cronulla RSL before playing his in his youth years at Sutherland Sharks.
At only 15, Ikonomidis made the move overseas signing a youth contract with Atalanta.
It was there he began to make a name for himself and after 18 months at the club, Ikonomidis signed with Lazio.
Ikonomidis made his debut for Lazio in 2015 in a Europa League group stage match starting against Saint-Étienne.
Despite not featuring in many matches for the club, and being sent out on loan for two seasons to Serie B club Salernitana and Danish Superliga club AGF, Ikonomidis says he learnt lots at Lazio that he hopes to apply at the Red & Black.
“It gave me a lot, being with such big players at the game,” said Ikonomidis.
“This season ahead of me I had Nani, Immobile and Felipe Anderson.
“I had some big players there who are some big names in Europe, so I obviously tried to learn as much as I could from training with them on a daily basis.
“Now it’s all about putting that learning into a game situation.”
Ikonomidis arrived at the Wanderers early last Friday, had his first training session with the team on Saturday and then played the whole second half in last Sunday’s victory against the Mariners.
The winger has reunited, in some sense, with head coach Josep Gombau after spending time together at Socceroos camps over the last two years. Ikonomidis has been capped six times for the national team.
Playing senior football for the first time of his career in Australia, Ikonomidis is looking to get back to his best form with the Wanderers.
“I was looking to nd some continual game time and get some rhythm to hopefully get back to my best form.
“Obviously, nothing is a guarantee and I will have to play good and fight for my spot.
“At Lazio, they really bulked up on their attack so opportunities were more scarce than ever so coming on loan made sense.
“I hope I can add a new attacking dimension to the team and provide assists and goals. That would be the perfect scenario.”
