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Lampros Choutos (sometimes Lambros)[1] (born 7 December 1979) is a Greek footballer, who plays as a striker.
During his career, he played equal periods of time in his country and Italy.
Club career
Early
Born in Athens, Choutos started his career with Asteras Polygonou, being discovered by scouts of powerhouse Panathinaikos FC; after only two years, he moved to Italy to finish his football grooming with A.S. Roma.
Professional
Choutos' first stop as a senior was back in his country, loaned by Roma to Olympiakos FC after stellar performances during the qualifying stages for the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, as he netted 15 goals in 10 matches. In Olympiakos, under the direction of Italian coach Alberto Bigon, he easily made his way into the first team, forming a productive offensive trio with Slovenia's Zlatko Zahovič and Brazilian Giovanni.
Although he suffered from an injured knee, Choutos managed to score decisive goals, making him one of the team's most popular players. He helped the Piraeus won the 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 championships before returning to Italy, with F.C. Internazionale Milano.
Choutos signed a three-year contract with Inter in the 2004 summer, but could never settle there, being constantly loaned to other minor teams, in the country and abroad (Spain's RCD Mallorca, where he quickly fell out of favour with manager Héctor Cúper). He made his competitive Inter debut in the cup, against F.C. Messina Peloro on November 9, 2006, replacing Mariano González in the 78th minute; this happened more than two years after his arrival. He finally left the club at the end of 2006–07.
Choutos returned to his country in that summer, signing with Panionios FC, but was only eligible to start playing in the following January; he again began experiencing first-team football, and notably scored two of three at Athens Olympic Sports Complex, helping defeat hosts AEK Athens and collecting the Man of the Match award. He finished his half season with 12 goals helping the team reach 6th position and participate in the second stage.
Choutos started his second year in scoring fashion, netting twice against OFK Beograd in the 2008 UEFA Intertoto Cup (3–1 home win, 3–2 on aggregate); however, after a run-in with the club's assistant that supposedly turned physical, the player was forced to leave.
On 2 February 2009, Choutos signed a six-month contract with PAOK FC, appearing in eight scoreless matches. On 25 August, he returned to Italy once again, joining lowly A.S. Pescina Valle del Giovenco for two years.[2] His contract was cancelled in July 2010, after the club was excluded from the Italian football league system due to financial issues.
International career
Courtesy of his solid U21 performances, Choutos soon made his debut for the Greek full squad, going on to collect 10 caps in four years; he was overlooked for UEFA Euro 2004 and 2008.
Honours
Olympiakos:
Greek League: 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03
Inter:
Italian League: 2006–07
Italian Cup: 2004–05
References
^ "ESPN stats". ESPNsoccernet. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
^ "Arriva il bomber Lambros Choutos, ex Roma ed Inter [Bomber Lambros Choutos, formerly of Roma and Inter, arrives]" (in Italian). VDG. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
External links
Lampros Choutos at National-Football-Teams.com
BDFutbol profile
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