What happened to Sotiris Ninis: the next 'big thing' of Greek football that Man Utd built 'spy dossier' on

He was once described as "the future of Greek football" by Djibril Cisse after an online publication suggested he would be Paul Scholes' successor at Manchester United, but what happened to Sotiris Ninis; a player destined for the very top?

Ninis was introduced to the football world in January 2007, when he made his much-anticipated debut for Greek Super League side Panathinaikos at the age of just 16.

Shortly after the full-time whistle, a confident Ninis made some telling remarks. "My priority is the team and not my personal statistics," he said. "I am not affected by the media hype about my performances, because I don't care about it."

To his credit, the teenager would soon back up those comments, impressing in a Europa League clash against Lens. It was a feat that earned him the title 'youngest player in history to participate in a European cup match with a team from Greece'.

Ninis would continue to shine in the famous green and white, and in May 2008, he marked his senior debut for Greece by becoming the country’s youngest ever goalscorer – a record that still stands to this day.

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A few months later, he would become Panathinaikos’ youngest ever captain at the age of 18 years and 125 days. He was the poster boy of Greek football; a shining example to those coming through the ranks.

When the 2009/10 season rolled around, several top European clubs were starting to sniff around, including Real Madrid and AC Milan. He would soon earn himself a second Young Player of the Year award after helping Panathinaikos to a league and cup double.

Back in February 2010, after Ninis helped Panathinaikos progress to the Europa League last 16 with a win over Roma, Djibril Cisse described the teenager as "the future of Greek football". At the time, nobody bat an eyelid.

It was a very reasonable suggestion given how much he had achieved in the game. Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva, who was Ninis' teammates at the time, was far more reserved in his praise.

"He's a very talented young player," said Silva. "As I've said before, I hope people don't put too much pressure on him. He's still very young and has a lot to learn but he can improve. He has been more consistent this season and this is what we need."

As the summer window approached, a report from the Manchester Evening News claimed that Manchester United were building a so-called 'spy dossier' on Ninis. In fact, from January onwards, a scout at United watched three of his matches for Panathinaikos. He was impressed.

It was said the 'Greek spy' had been sending favourable accounts to officials at Old Trafford, with Ninis being described as "the new rising star of Greece football" as a number of top clubs in Europe chased his signature.

"Ninis' pace, vision, technique and powerful shot would be a welcome addition to United's engine room and the youngster ticks the boxes in terms of the age group Sir Alex Ferguson is looking at to underpin his senior squad," the report added.

Ninis would end up staying at Panathinaikos for two more years before getting his big break in 2012.

The winger agreed a much-anticipated transfer to Serie A side Parma, who were convinced by his talents. In fact, president Tommaso Ghirardi called Ninis “one of the best young players in Europe” as he came in to replace Sebastian Giovinco.

It was the start of a slow decline for Ninis. After a forgettable campaign with Greece at Euro 2024, he made just 14 appearances for Parma in his debut campaign. A year later, in August 2014, his Parma contract was terminated. He played just 14 league games for the Italian side.

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Ninis returned to Panathinaikos in 2014 and scored on his second debut for the club, but he ultimately struggled for first-team minutes during a two-year stint and in 2016, he joined Belgian Pro League side Charleroi.

A very short stint at another Belgian club, Mechelen, followed but after playing just two games, Ninis was released.

Maccabi Petah Tikva of the Israeli Premier League took a punt next but seven games later, the winger was once again without a club. Spells at Hapoel Ashkelon, Volos, PAS Giannina and A.E. Kifisia came next but again, Ninis failed to deliver and at the time of writing, he is a free agent for the sixth time in his career to date.

Now aged 34, it has been almost a decade since he earned his last cap for Greece.