Stefanos Paschali

Stefanos Paschali (Greek: Στέφανος Πασχάλη; born 27 April 1995) is a British Cypriot professional footballer, playing for AEL Limassol as a striker,^[1] on loan to APEP FC ^[2] until the end of the season.

Youth career

In 2000, at the age of 5, Paschali began his football education at Alsos Arena Academy in Limassol, where he spent 9 years. In 2009 at age 14, he was scouted by APEP FC of the Cyprus 1st Division, and played for one season at U15 level.^[3] He was the top goal-scorer throughout the club and subsequently signed for Anorthosis Famagusta FC in March 2010, having been recruited by former Cyprus International Nicos Panayiotou, who at the time was the Academy Director. He spent 3 and a half years there, representing the club at U15, U17 and U21 levels. He was so highly regarded that he was promoted to the U21 (Reserve Team) one year ahead of schedule at the tender age of 16.^[4] In August 2013, despite Anorthosis Famagusta FC wanting to keep him, he accepted an offer from Aris Limassol of the Cyprus 1st Division,^[5] with a view of promotion to the first team. He trained with Aris Limassol first team, under then coach, Dutchman Ton Caanen. A year later in August 2014, former Bosnian International Dusan Kerkez, captain of Aris Limassol persuaded Paschali to join him at AEL Limassol where he took the reigns as U21 Reserve Team manager.

Senior career

In January 2015, after a very successful spell at AEL Limassol U21’s, he left on loan to join APEP FC first team of the Cyprus 2nd Division.^[6] He was recruited by his former Anorthosis Famagusta FC coach, and former Cyprus International Vassos Melanarkitis, who had recently become first team coach at APEP FC. Having joined APEP FC, Paschali started 9 out of the 10 remaining games of the season; one of the highlights being the equalising goal at the famous Tsirion Stadium against his former club, Aris Limassol.^[7]

References