8Christopher James Ikonomidis is an Australian attacking midfielder and winger from Sydney. He developed with Sutherland Sharks before moving to Italy as a teenager, where he joined Atalanta and later Lazio. His senior career included loans to Salernitana, AGF and Western Sydney Wanderers, followed by established A-League periods with Perth Glory, Melbourne Victory and Macarthur FC. Provider data lists him as active with East Bengal II in India as at 24 August 2026; that current team assignment could not be independently confirmed through an official East Bengal or AIFF player listing.
Born in Sydney on 4 May 1995, Ikonomidis began playing football as a child in the Sutherland Shire and was developed through the Sutherland Sharks system. His first major opportunity came at 15, when Sutherland Sharks competed at a Nike Cup tournament in England. Scouts there identified his potential and he earned a youth contract with Atalanta, beginning an unusual pathway into European football without first establishing himself in Australia’s senior leagues.
Ikonomidis later moved to Lazio, where he progressed through the Primavera system and reportedly scored 23 goals in one season. Lazio coach Stefano Pioli promoted him into first-team training and handed him his senior debut in the UEFA Europa League against Saint-Étienne in December 2014. He subsequently gained senior experience on loan at Italian Serie B club Salernitana and Danish Superliga club AGF.
A 2017–18 loan to Western Sydney Wanderers brought him back to Australia and gave him regular A-League exposure. He then joined Perth Glory permanently for the 2018–19 season. Operating primarily as an attacking midfielder, wide forward or winger, he became an important part of Glory’s attack, scoring nine league goals as Perth won the A-League Premiers’ Plate. His performances earned the A-League Young Footballer of the Year award and selection in the PFA A-League Team of the Season.
Ikonomidis signed for Melbourne Victory in 2021 on a three-year contract, reuniting with Tony Popovic, who had coached him at Perth. His Victory period included the club’s 2021 Australia Cup triumph. He later joined Macarthur FC, where he continued to be used in attacking roles. Provider data identifies East Bengal II as his current team and lists him as active, but an official current roster confirmation was not located.
Internationally, Ikonomidis represented Australia at under-20 and under-23 level before making his senior Socceroos debut in 2015. He became notable for earning a senior international cap before making a senior club appearance. He was part of Australia’s 2019 AFC Asian Cup squad and has been described by official and reputable football sources as a versatile attacking player capable of operating centrally or from the wings.
His first major break came at age 15 with Sutherland Sharks at a Nike Cup tournament in England. Scouts identified him there, leading to a youth contract with Atalanta. This was the discovery moment he later described as the point when becoming a professional footballer became a realistic possibility.
Verified published career figures include 17 senior Australia caps and two international goals, according to available historical player records. Perth Glory reported that he scored nine goals in his debut 2018–19 season as the club won the Premiers’ Plate. His documented individual honours include the 2018–19 A-League Young Footballer of the Year award and selection in the 2018–19 PFA A-League Team of the Season. Exact up-to-date club totals as at 24 August 2026 were not independently confirmed.
Defining moments include his Europa League debut for Lazio against Saint-Étienne, becoming a Socceroo before making a senior club appearance, his nine-goal 2018–19 Perth Glory campaign, and his role in Australia’s 2019 AFC Asian Cup squad. He also helped Melbourne Victory win the 2021 Australia Cup.