IT’S Ange Postecoglou’s incredible Greek heist.

At a time where there’s been plenty of questions about where goals will come from apart from Tim Cahill, the national team boss has pulled off an extraordinary coup.

Greek born but Melbourne bred Apostolos Giannou, who is the second top scorer in Greek’s Super League with 13 goals this term for Asteras, is set to switch allegiances to the Socceroos, despite debuting internationally with Greece.

Giannou has also become the latest Australian to join China’s revolution, signing overnight with Guangzhou R&F, and reports from Fox Sports News 500 suggest he’ll be included in the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers squad to face Tajikistan and Jordan.

The 26-year-old has played for Greece’s under-21s and under-19s and even appeared as a substitute in an international friendly in November 2015, a 0-0 draw against Turkey.

But that appearance didn’t tie the striker to the Greek national side. He was named on the bench for a Euro 2016 qualifier against Hungary, and thankfully for Australia, he didn’t get on the pitch.

Greece may be left to rue that decision, because sensationally, Postecoglou, who coached him in the Australian under-17s, has convinced the striker to pledge his allegiance to the Socceroos.

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Apostolos Giannou. Source: FOX SPORTS

Not only is he set to be named in the squad for the March World Cup qualifiers, but Giannou, who credited Postecoglou’s efforts in making his decision, could face the nation that blooded him internationally when Greece travel to Australia in June this year.

“The effort of coming here to see me tells it all,” Giannou told Fox Sports News’ Daniel Garb in Athens.

“You don’t need to say much. The thing about Ange, which I appreciate, is he didn’t push me to play for Australia. He wanted to see how my mind was and how I thought about it.”

But this is no brazen Socceroos raid. Giannou is no stranger to Australia and says “I think my friends will be buzzing”.

Apostolos Giannou in Greece colours in 2008. Source: Getty Images

He played at the Victorian Institute of Sport, Oakleigh Cannons and South Melbourne before moving abroad eight years ago. It’s been a breakthrough season for him, having travelled from Apollon, Kavala, PAOK, Platanias on loan and Panionios before his current club.

But why the change of heart about the national team?

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“It hasn’t been easy and obviously it’s difficult to choose which country to play for since I feel the same for both countries,” he explained.

He added: “The politics here are more than usual, I know that Australia has been going upwards since Ange took over.

Apostolos Giannou chatting to Daniel Garb in Athens. Source: FOX SPORTS

“Australia would be better for me as a footballer, to play for them and to give them everything I can and to bring the best out of me.”

It’s a whirlwind period for Giannou, who has also just secured his immediate club future with the move to China as well.

“Very excited,” he added.

“I think it’s time for me to move on. I’ve been wanting to get out of Greece to play internationally in other countries.

“If it didn’t happen in Europe, I think Asia is the next big thing.”

- Additional Reporting: David Weiner