Eliopoulos, who moved from NPL side Northcote City to APOEL at the beginning of the 2016-2017 campaign, was in dreamland after being on the cusp of making his senior debut.

The Australian had appeared in several senior matchday squads and was training with the first team during the club’s Europa League campaign.

But soon after the Cypriot powehouse embarked on a two-legged knock out tie against La Liga side Athletic Bilbao, a serious injury ended the youngster's season.

Since then the 21-year-old has been plugging away in the Cypriot second division and is determined to find his way to the country’s top league again.

“If I was healthy for one more week I would have been playing,” he said speaking to FTBL. “If I did play things could have changed, but everything happens for a reason and I was just a bit unlucky.

“But I really enjoyed playing and training and the standard at with APOEL. There were a lot of good players in the team which I learnt off and the coach was really good as well.

“It was a big step in my career and I know one day I will be back to where I want to be.”

After recovering from his injury, the 2017-2018 campaign saw Eliopoulos move to Cypriot second division side PAEEK where he played his first full season as a professional.

This term Eliopoulos has transferred to ASIL Lysi FC and the youngster believes the move will enhance his chances of playing in the Cypriot top flight.

“ASIL FC are a step up from last year when I was at PAEEK," he said.

“They have a really good team with great quality, they have put a lot more money into their budget and if we work hard we can have a good year.

“Last year helped me got my name out there and I played every game. We finished seventh and we were chasing for the top four but we dropped off due to injuries.

“But this new club has a lot more investment coming, we are playing out of a first division stadium and pushing for promotion.“

While at PAEEK the club made the semi-final of the Cyprus Cup which saw Eliopoulos’ come up against AEK Larnaka’s Soccerroos striker Apostolis Giannou.

Despite not making the final the defender believes that experience proved he could match it with the big boys.

“Playing against AEK Larnaka and other first division teams made me realise that it’s just the small details that get you to that next step,” he said.

“It makes me believe that I can be there one day. I just have to be working hard and hope it just falls into place.

“It’s about being at the right place at the right time.”