After signing a three-year contract with Greek Super League club PAOK in 2015, Antonis has returned from Greece after a rollercoaster 18 months.

An injury early in his PAOK career put Antonis on the back foot prior to Igor Dudor, the coach that signed him, being sacked, meaning the talented midfielder saw limited game time in his first season.

Things didn’t get better in his second season as the fringe Socceroo was loaned out, and after only one appearance, the 23-year-old is back in Australia and determined to take his game to the highest level.

“Coming back to the A-League especially where I was with Veria I have a lot of hunger to be playing again and to have a fair go,” he said speaking exclusively to FourFourTwo. “The coaching staff and all my teammates at the Wanderers are helping with the fitness side and I’m getting better all the time. You haven’t seen the best of me yet but It’s not too far off. I’m feeling good and it’s great to be playing again especially under Popa and playing for the Wanderers.

After contributing two assists during the Wanderers' 3-1 win over the Phoenix last weekend Antonis said he’s starting debut for his new club was a joyful experience.

“For me being able to be back on the pitch again is a great feeling. I was happy that we got the three points,” he said. “We still had a lot of chances to punish Wellington during the game but we were unlucky. One of the goals was disallowed and we also had a lot of other chances to score. But it felt good to be back out on the pitch again.”

Antonis revealed Wanderers coach Tony Popovic was one of the main reasons he signed with Western Sydney.

“A good reason coming back was to work with Popa,” he said. “He was my assistant coach at Sydney. He knows how to get players working for him and for me it was a great opportunity to work with him. You’ve seen what he’s done when he first started at the Wanderers and what they have become and what they are. When I worked with him at Sydney FC he was also a great player in his time and off the pitch he was a great guy to speak to as well.”

Antonis is from the heart of Western Sydney and the talented midfielder said training and playing in the area he grew up in brought back memories

“I used to be trained by my dad when I was younger down at the pitch in Bass Hill at the Crest,” he said. “For me playing for the Wanderers and getting the support from out west it feels good.

“But I came back for business to get my foot planted again and show what I can do. I just want to bring to the team my experience and help the boys as much as I can especially on the pitch to get three points and do everything I can for the team.”