Greek Star Eager to Shine for Socceroos in Roar Debut

Georgios Vrakas, the new Greek midfielder for Brisbane Roar, is set to make his highly anticipated debut in the A-League. The match is scheduled for Friday night against Macarthur FC at Suncorp Stadium. Vrakas, who has ambitions of representing the Socceroos, is embracing his Australian heritage, thanks to his father’s Australian roots.

Brisbane Roar’s Expectations

Brisbane Roar’s management has high hopes for Vrakas. Zac Anderson, the club’s chief operating officer, highlighted his creativity and goal-scoring ability. “He has that European mentality,” said Anderson. This mindset integrates well with the Roar’s aspirations of competing successfully in the league.

Player Background

• Former Clubs: Vrakas previously played for Atromitos in the Greek Super League.
• Youth Career: He had significant experience in youth football with Italian Serie A club Napoli.
• Loan Experience: Last season, he was on loan at Athens Kallithea in the second tier.

Vrakas’ Australian eligibility presented a unique advantage, allowing him to join the Roar without utilizing a visa player slot. This factor contributed to the club securing his services over rival teams.

Integration into Brisbane’s Culture

At 24, Vrakas is ready to contribute his experience from Europe. “I will bring quality, creativity, shooting, and passing to the team,” he stated. He expressed confidence in his new teammates, describing them as good players and good people.

Vrakas is particularly impressed with the coaching style of Michael Valkanis, who is beginning his first season with the Roar. The coach encourages attractive, engaging football, which resonates with Vrakas’ playing philosophy.

Community and Future Aspirations

Having family in Sydney, Vrakas has started to embrace the lifestyle in Brisbane. He appreciates the city and is aware of its strong Greek community, which adds to his sense of belonging.

Despite having represented Greece at youth levels, Vrakas has set sights on joining the Australian national team. He remarked, “If I was to get called up, of course I would love to play for Australia.” His immediate focus is on the upcoming match against Macarthur FC.

“We’ve done our analysis on them. We’re ready and looking forward to playing,” he remarked, reflecting a preparedness to kick off the season on a strong note.