Koke (footballer, born 1983)

Koke

Personal information
Full name	Sergio Contreras Pardo
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Aris FC
Number	10

Sergio Contreras Pardo (born April 27, 1983 in Málaga), better known as Koke, is a Spanish footballer who plays for Aris Thessaloniki F.C., as a striker.

Football characteristics

He can play and respond to several attacking positions his coach asks him to play- as left forward/winger (even right), also in positions just behind main striker/s or striker himself (which he covers in Aris generally)...A solid mover (with the ball), average-to-decently quick, with very good ball-control and high technical training, great anticipation and finally the perfectly accurate shooting/scoring that slowly passes a goal-keeper and goal-line...

Koke loves being more around the box and he generally comes in/towards the box after great (through) balls/passes received by his team-mates to execute finally or situations where defense misjudges/makes an error allowing Koke to punish like a "hyena".

In his first 2 Aris seasons, the team didn't have rich nor tall striking options but Koke, who is not even a natural ST, being generally "forced" to play as a lone one in 4-3-3/ 4-2-3-1 systems. So, he needed to carry his team and its attack on his shoulders by efficiently executing accurate shots. Still was able to finish his first 2 seasons with Aris by 25+ appearances each. Therefore, generally very fit.

Also known for his special "concord" goal-celebration! His agent is Manel Ferrer- former special collaborator in Aris as well. Considered as the biggest star of the team and leader of the new Aris generation aiming for successes in Greece and even Europe...

Football career

Marseille

Koke started his football career at hometown club Málaga CF. In January 2004, after seeing very little playing time in the first team, blocked by veteran goal-poacher Salva, he joined French league powerhouse Olympique de Marseille, playing ten times without scoring the remainder of the season. The following one was much better, with Koke scoring five in 24 appearances, and making for a pacy attacking trio in Marseille with former French internationals Steve Marlet and Péguy Luyindula.

In 2005-06, with the arrival of Mamadou Niang (in August 2005) and Toifilou Maoulida (in January 2006), Koke was deemed surplus to requirements, scoring one goal in 9 league games and, in January 2006, was sent on loan to Portugal's Sporting Clube de Portugal, where he played almost no part in the club's season, although he did score twice as a substitute against Gil Vicente F.C., on March 5, in a 2-0 home win.

Also, in January 2006 was rumored to be linked to Juventus.

Aris

The arrival (initially on loan) of Djibril Cissé in August 2006 meant the end of Koke's adventure in France. He would eventually sign for Aris Thessaloniki, a team that was filled with Spanish players, in a three-year deal. He produced the best football of his career to date, notching up 9 league goals for a team that finished fourth in the league after being promoted the previous season. In 2007-2008, Koke scored another 9 in the league's regular season, adding one in the UEFA Cup group stage game against Red Star Belgrade and two in the post-season play-offs. In July 2008, Koke signed a new five-year contract with Aris (up to 2013).

Character and Personal life

Koke is a nice guy and media-darling mainly in Thessaloniki. Koke adores Aris and the love is both-sided as he is a fans' favorite from his first days of arrival at Aris. He also visits important Aris BC matches. Moreover, when he is unavailable to play a football match he is sometimes found with passionate and organized fan-groups to support his beloved club from stadium-stands. Also noted for two goals scored against the biggest club of Greece- the champions from Piraeus Olympiakos SFP in the memorable and controversial match that Aris lost at home to the Piraeus giant (2:3).

Late in July 2008 he declared that he wants to take Greek citizenship in future and play for Greek national football team. Before that, had also expressed a wish to draw a tattoo with the Aris symbol of "God of War".

He is vice-captain in Aris from the summer 2008 after Konstantinos Nebegleras.

On August 13, 2008, Koke's wife gave birth to their first daugter, Maria-Ameera (Maria after the Madonna and Ameera after an Arabian princess). He promised to his wife in hospital that he would score in the first official match of Aris 2008/09 with NK Slaven Belupo (UEFA Cup second qualifiers) on August 14 and dedicate a goal to her and their baby, which he did eventually in Aris' 1:0 victory over Slaven, in Thessaloniki.

External links

• Profile at zerozero.pt
• greeksoccer forums, article about Koke
• greeksoccer forums, topic about Koke