Giorgos Efrem

[juanes]

Club:Omonia Nicosia

Nationality:Cyprus

Age:20

Height:1.7 m / 5.58 ft

Weight:67 kg / 147 lbs

Position:Attacking mid®

http://www.transfermarkt.de/bilder/spielerfotos/s_44790_829_2009_2.jpg

The professional game is littered with great players who proved their doubters wrong and Omonia Nicosia schemer Giorgos Efrem looks like being one of the latest to battle back from disappointment.

 

Hopes were high for Efrem when he joined Arsenal at age 15 and impressed for the Gunners in their Under-19 side and for the reserve team. Father Andreas was a full Cypriot international and the youngsters burgeoning talent seemed to suggest a bright future at the highest echelons of European football.

 

When he was released to Rangers in May 2007, Arsenal’s Head of Youth Development Liam Brady described how difficult it was for Arsene Wenger to let Efrem go: "George is absolutely someone who could go on and have success with Rangers, he's a busy and technical player and it was a tough decision whether or not to let him go."

 

During his spell with the Gunners Efrem trained alongside the likes of Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Cesc Fabregas and looks to have taken this experience to his performances at Omonia Nicosia in 2009/2010.

 

The 5.6ft midfielder only lasted two seasons at Rangers and it would be easy to say that Efrem failed in Scotland after struggling to make the grade in London, in truth though he received few opportunities at the Glasgow giants. And when he was sent on loan to Dundee United he impressed, scoring two goals in his first two games for the Scottish First Division side.

 

In 2009/2010 Efrem has rebounded from his disappointments abroad and firmly established himself as the hottest prospect in Cyprus. Despite a lifetime of European football experience behind him, the midfield schemer has enjoyed life back in Cyprus with Omonia Nicosia and was a major reason behind the club’s first place finish.

 

Still only 20, Efrem had a real purple patch at the back end of 2009 and displayed all his qualities to suggest he is too good for the 1. Division in Cyprus. He has reminded close observers of his career of his main qualities, Efrem is a fast intelligent player who can score as well as create.

 

So far in 2009/2010, Efrem has scored seven goals and provided seven assists in 27 appearances in the Cypriot top flight. He is also relatively strong for his diminutive size and is also a set-piece taker which has also been valuable for Omonia. His versatility is also a major boost for coach Takis Lemonis.

 

Predominantly a right-sided attacking midfielder Efrem is two-footed and can play through the middle and on the left.

 

Efrem has good positioning and his goals often come from wide positions where he has drifted inside without the opposition taking notice. He is a fine playmaker who can beat players with his technical ability.

 

The Cypriot international is not selfish and likes to include his team mates where at all possible. Efrem will often cut inside and look to play an Omonia player in on goal with a cute through ball.

 

The 20-year-old also has extensive international experience. He was called up for the Cyprus National Team in March 2009 but a minor injury forced him out of the team. In September 2009 he made his first two appearances for the Cyprus first team squad. He also captained the Cyprus U-21 team.

 

Efrem’s slight stature and his largely failed experience in Europe point to a player that may only be able to perform well in Cyprus. In addition he also needs to improve defensively.

 

But, his time at Arsenal and Rangers could turn out to be a crucial spell in his career. Another season or two of success at Omonia and Efrem will have outgrown the Cypriot league. With his experience of playing abroad and a growing number of international caps, he could well be a success in Europe in the future.