Sunday 3rd September 2017
DIMITRIS FROXYLIAS was described by his manager Stevie Aitken as ‘cultured’ after Dumbarton beat Connah’s Quay Nomads on Saturday.
His football career thus far would suggest that’s a pretty accurate description – in more ways than one.
He was born in Greece, and is AEK Athens’ youngest ever player in European competition, turning out as a substitute in a Europa League match against Anderlecht.
But he has played most of his club career in Cyprus, for whom he has also played at youth level.
And then there was Saturday. A free kick awarded against a Welsh team by an Irish referee made him an instant hero in Scotland.
He fired home the extra time set piece which saw Sons through to round three of the Irn Bru Cup with a 2-1 victory.
After the prolonged cup tie, he gave an account of how he came to roll up at the YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium.
He told www.dumbartonfootballclub.com: “I hope I can stay in Scottish football for a long time. I like it here with the way Dumbarton play.
“I have enjoyed training and have made a good set of friends in my team-mates already.
“Playing in Europe for AEK was a great experience for me. It was about seven years ago.”
Dimitris, who is good friends with St Mirren defender and countryman Stelios, had been on trial with other clubs in Scotland before signing with Sons on Thursday.
He continued: “It was a tough game (on Saturday), but the result was good. I am glad to score the goal but the win was most important.
“It is a very different style to Greek football – I think Scottish football is much better. It is played much faster.
“I practice every day to try and score free kicks. Last year I didn’t play as much due to injuries. I want to play football and I am glad to be part of this team. It will be hard work.
“We play Dundee United next Saturday and that will be tough, but I think we can compete with them.”
Andy Galloway