In our new series at Everything Orient, we take a look back at ex-Orient players and see were their careers have taken them since their departure from Brisbane Road.
Born nearby in neighbouring borough Newham in 1987, Jason Demetriou, a right full back who made 167 appearances for The O's and scored 12 times during his 4 years in the Orient first team as the East London side were adapting to life back in the third division after promotion in 2006.
The English-Cypriot came up through the academy ranks at E10, he signed his first professional contract aged 19 in 2006, he went on to make his senior debut in November 2006 in a 0-0 draw with Yeovil Town. He made 24 appearances that season, mostly as a substitute. But in the 2007-08 season Demetriou really kicked on at Orient, winning the Young Talent award at the end of the season, he said his success was due to manager of the time Martin Ling for giving him opportunities in the first team, chances he obviously grasped with both hands.
Despite Orient's struggles in the 2008-09 season Demetriou continued to impress fans and his teammates, also catching the attention of Premier League clubs but the most interest came from Championship clubs Charlton Athletic and Plymouth Argyle. At the end of the season his hard work paid off as he was voted Player of the season by O's fans.
Demetriou was eligible to play for England (his birth country) but playing in the third tier wasn't going to be appealing to the FA, however he could play for Cyprus but only if he moved to a Cypriot side. AEK Larnaca monitored Jason's situation and completed the signing of the full back for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2010. This made him eligible to play for Cyprus, he has currently made 43 appearances for the national side scoring one goal.
In his three years at Larnaca he made 91 appearances scoring 4 goals, he then moved to Famagusta ahead of the 2013/14 season on a 2 year deal. Famagusta most famous for being beat 6-1 by Tottenham in the Europa League group stage back in 2007. Demetriou made 41 appearances during his 2 years at the club, scoring just the one goal.
A return to English football beckoned in 2015 when he signed for League one side Walsall, he spent just one season at the West Midlands side but made 43 appearances out of 46 and scored 3 goals. In 2016 Demetriou joined fellow league one side and Orient's A13 rivals Southend United, he turned down a new contract at Walsall and a contract at League Two Portsmouth for his favoured move to Roots Hall.
In his 2 seasons so far at the Essex side he has made 71 appearances scoring 9 goals, he has been a key player in Chris Powell's sides resurgence in the later part of the season.
Jason Demetriou, a quality player who dominated the wing whilst at Orient, I wish him the best of luck in his career as he is still playing in the first team for Southend and Cyprus.
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