Christos Karipidis was a product of PAOK’s youth system. He came through the ranks and graduated to the first team, enjoyed a solid playing career, and then returned to PAOK eventually to assume the role of director of football. Born in Serres on December 2, 1982, Karipidis went all the way from the PAOK youth teams to the first team as a central and defensive midfielder. He made over 380 appearances and scored 18 appearances during his playing career.
He played for PAOK from 2001 to 2006, making 63 appearances and scoring two goals. He even wore the captain’s armband, and also had loan spells at Kavala and Kerkyra.
In 2006 he attempted to test himself in the Scottish league, signing for Hearts. He stayed in the Highlands for three years, making 62 appearances and scoring three goals. In fact, on September 8, 2006, Karipidis also played in the first leg of a Champions League qualifying tie against AEK, which the Kitrinomavri won 2-1.
After Scotland, Karipidis went to Cyprus. In the summer of 2009 he signed for Omonia Nicosia, where he stayed for three years, making 72 appearances and scoring two goals. He moved on to APOEL after that (where he stayed for one year and made 18 appearances), before switching to Apollon Limassol (26 appearances, four goals).
In 2014 he returned to the Greek Championship with Xanthi, where he stayed for two years, making 38 appearances and scoring one goal. In 2016, as a free agent he signed for Platanias, where he chalked up a total of 38 appearances and scored two goals. He ended his career as a footballer with Lamia.
He was a Greece youth international, making four appearances, and was also a member of his country’s 2004 Olympic squad.