For three years Stamboulidis put textbooks before a professional football career when he took the chance of a spot at Columbia University in New York.

But he still kept up the football skills that were first seen in Melbourne City's 2013 youth title-winning side.

While at university, Stamboulidis played college soccer with Columbia Lions where he won an Ivy League Championship and played in the NCAA Finals for a team which had endured decades without success.

He spent the off-season with the U23 squad of MLS side Colorado Rapids, where he often played two games a week at mile-high altitude which he says helped him  become a fitter, better footballer. 

But with only a few exams to go in his economics degree the 22 year-old has now decided to put football first and pursue a professional contract.

In July this year, he signed with Greek top flight club Aris Thessaloniki FC and speaking to FTBL from his new home, Stamboulidis was excited about the next chapter in his life.

“I believe that this is the first professional move to a top 15 European 1st Division league by any Ivy League University footballer,” he told FTBL.

“Although it was very difficult to manage both my studies and football simultaneously, I always believed that doing both could be possible. 

“It has helped me mature and develop I believe as a world citizen in the most diverse city in the world, New York City, which I will love forever.”

For many Aussies who get a foothold in Europe, breaking into the first team squad and playing regularly has proved a much difficult step to make than getting the initial move.

Even though Aris FC is joint top of the Greek Super League table after an undefeated start, Stamboulidis is confident he can make inroads as the season progresses.

“Although I played in six of our nine practice games in Holland and Greece I have not managed to play any minutes in our two first league games, but training has been going well and I am in a good space,” he said.

“I am always pushing and trying to be better to help our team and earn an opportunity. 

“Of course getting as many minutes possible is the target but improving every day in some capacity is what I believe I can control, whether that be in the gym, training or recovery.”

Now that he has made the move to a top flight European club, it presents a better chance of being on the radar of Socceroos coach Graham Arnold. 

The Greek-Australian has already had a taste of international football he played international friendlies against the senior USA and Trinidad and Tobago national teams while with Rapids.

Stamboulidis was also called up twice to play for Greece U19s, and he says he is keeping his options open on the future.

“I can only consider when the matter or opportunity is presented to me,” he said.

“The only certainty is that everybody is now watching and all I can do is be prepared for any opportunity I may earn, whether that be with my club Aris FC which is my first priority or with the Greek or Australian national team.”