The Aussie wasn’t included in the match-day squad as he continues to train and become more match-fit after just 10 days with the club. 

“I always had the ambition to do both: study at the highest level at Columbia and play at the highest level," he adds. "And it’s been an unorthodox and at times a difficult journey.

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“From day one my parents were there to help me balance every aspect of my life."

And far from being pushy parents, Stamboulidis says his father Professor Greg Stamboulidis was and is "his inspiration”.

It was his parents’ idea, for instance, to go to Uruguay as a family 14 years ago (“my parents wanted my siblings and I to experience a completely different culture, language, and environment.”)

Stamboulidis has hardly been home in three years as he’s put in the time to build a career in football and academia.

“Time flies when you’re working to achieve your goals and putting in the necessary time to do so,” he says.

He’s keen to stress football is his focus as he looks ahead to the season in Spain. 

“The objective is to play as many games as possible with Extremadura, and find a rhythm that will allow me to grow and develop from there.”

Stamboulidis has set his goals for this season at Extremadura UD

It’s understood four or five other clubs - including one from La Liga - that showed interest in the 186cm central midfielder. 

Of course, there will be speculation about his national team of choice, given he’s already played for the Greek U19s and has Greek citizenship.

What’s more, the Greece national team is now coached by former Melbourne City boss, Dutchman John van’ t Schip with former South Melbourne and Adelaide United defender Michael Valkanis as one of his assistants.

Stamboulidis, however, isn’t focusing on international football as his prime focus is getting minutes on the park, though he adds he is Australian-born and feels “he’s Australian”.

Graham Arnold, Socceroos boss, take note.

As for astronomy, Stamboulidis says that field of study doesn’t get any bigger, as it answers some of the more fundamental questions of our existence.

“I guess I find it fascinating learning about our universe and how certain laws and proofs can be used as evidence to explain the mechanics of everyday life,” he explains.

“And also how we can progress as human beings and society.”

The journey has reached Spain for Stamboulidis.

It’ll a fascinating to see how this engaging footballer’s career unfolds.

The Spanish Segunda division is available free on YouTube via the LaLiga SmartBank YouTube channel.