Full name Lampros Choutos 1995 Roma Position Forward 1993–1995 Panathinaikos Height 1.77 m | Playing position Role Footballer Place of birth Athens, Greece Name Lampros Choutos | |
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Date of birth (1979-12-07) 7 December 1979 (age 36) | ||
Lampros Choutos (sometimes Lambros;born 7 December 1979) is a Greek retired footballer who played as a striker.
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During his career, he played equal periods of time in his country and Italy.
Early years
Born in Athens, but his origins are from Trikala, Choutos started his career with Asteras Polygonou, being discovered by scouts of Panathinaikos FC. After only two years, he moved to Italy to finish his football grooming with A.S. Roma.
Professionals
Choutos' first stop as a senior was back in his country, loaned by Roma to Olympiacos F.C. after stellar performances during the qualifying stages for the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, as he netted 15 goals in only ten matches. At Olympiakos, under the direction of Alberto Bigon, he gradually made his way into the first team, forming a productive offensive trio with Slovenia's Zlatko Zahovič and Giovanni from Brazil.
Although he suffered from an injured knee, Choutos managed to score decisive goals. He helped the Piraeus club win the 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 Superleague championships before returning to Italy, with Inter Milan.
Choutos signed a three-year contract with Inter in the 2004 summer, but could never settle there, being constantly loaned to other minor sides, in both the country and abroad (Spain's RCD Mallorca, where he quickly fell out of favour with manager Héctor Cúper). He made his competitive debut for the Nerazzurri on 9 November 2006, coming on as a 78th-minute substitute for Mariano González in a Coppa Italia clash against F.C. Messina Peloro, which took place more than two years after his arrival; he left at the end of the season.
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 to help defeat hosts AEK Athens F.C. and collect the Man of the match award. He finished his half season with 12 goals, as his team finished in sixth position and participated in the second stage.
Choutos started his second year in scoring fashion, netting twice against OFK Beograd in the 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. 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 under-21 performances, Choutos soon made his debut for the Greek full side, going on to collect ten caps in four years. He was overlooked for the squads that appeared at both UEFA Euro 2004 and 2008.