Giannis Papanikolaou

Giannis Papanikolaou (Γιάννης Παπανικολάου; born 18 November 1998) is a Greek professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or central midfielder for Turkish Süper Lig club Çaykur Rizespor and the Greece national football team.

Platanias
On 23 April 2017, Papanikolaou made his official debut in a 3–1 home loss against PAOK. On 5 November 2017, he scored his first professional goal in a 5–1 away loss against Olympiacos.

Panionios
On 11 June 2019, Panionios officially announced the signing of Papanikolaou on a free transfer. The young winger, who made 31 appearances during the 2018–19 season, scoring four goals and giving five assists, joined the club, following his refusal to renew his contract with Platanias.

Raków Częstochowa
On 11 August 2020, Papanikolaou joined Polish Ekstraklasa club Raków Częstochowa, on a contract until the end of June 2021, and an available option of a four-years extension of the contract. On 8 February 2021, the club announced they have made use of the option and have extended his contract until the end of June 2025. On 12 February 2022, he opened the score with a kick in the left corner in an away 1–0 win game against Radomiak Radom in the 20th second of the game. It was his first goal with the club in all competitions.

During his four-year stay, Papanikolaou made 118 appearances for Raków across all competitions, and one for their reserve team, and contributed to their first-ever league title, two national cup and two Super Cup wins.

Caykur Rizespor
On 13 June 2024, Turkish Süper Lig club Çaykur Rizespor announced they have reached an agreement with Raków to sign Papanikolaou on a three-year contract.

International career
Papanikolaou was called up by the senior Greece side for the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League matches against Northern Ireland on 2 June 2022, against Kosovo on 5 June 2022 and 12 June 2022 and against Cyprus on 9 June 2022.

Honours
Raków Częstochowa
 * Ekstraklasa: 2022–23
 * Polish Cup: 2020–21, 2021–22
 * Polish Super Cup: 2021, 2022

Raków Częstochowa II
 * IV liga Silesia I: 2021–22