The future looked bleak for the Canberra kid when he was released by Sydney FC two years back without making a single A-League appearance.
His self-belief was stretched to the limit after what he describes as a “slap in the face” from the Sky Blues and a subsequent “dark” period in his life.
NPL side Sydney Olympic offered a lifeline - and the defender known as “Timo” delved deep into a well of resilience and persistence to kick-start a future which just under a year ago earned him an Under-23s contract at Schalke 04.
And last weekend - after several appearances on the bench - the 21-year-old centre-back made an impressive debut in the club’s final game of the Bundesliga season - a goalless draw against Stuttgart.
“I’ve always believed if one door closes another one opens,” Timotheou told The World Game.
“I had to take a step back to go to Sydney Olympic and I’m just grateful for the opportunity they gave me ... the game time I had and the extra training I did with the coaches to prepare me for my overseas journey.
“Initially being told I wasn’t needed at Sydney FC was a bit of a slap in the face.
“You question a lot of things - but football is a game of opinions and it’s not necessarily the truth.
“If you believe in yourself and believe you deserve a chance, and are prepared to keep working hard to prove to yourself and others that you can make it, then that’s what it’s all about.”
Winning the confidence of interim head coach Huub Stevens came off the back of 23 eye-catching performances for Schalke’s second team in Germany’s fifth tier, with Timotheou informed on the morning of the Stuttgart match that he would be starting.
“I’m still pinching myself,” he added. “It’s the stuff you dream of as a little kid.
“I just had to put the nerves to one side, switch on and do my job.
“I also wanted to enjoy the moment, which is something I try to do in every match I play. It does feel surreal. But there’s a fine line between being excited and keeping your feet on the ground and staying level-headed.
“To consider where I was a year ago and to find myself up against somebody like (World Cup winner) Benjamin Pavard was incredible.”
Expanding on overcoming the sense of rejection he felt on being cut by Sydney, Timotheou believes it ultimately made him a more resilient individual.
“It was hard for a few weeks being a bit down but my girlfriend and my family really helped me,” he added.
“You do ask yourself whether you are good enough and things like that.
“It was tough but it’s not just about testing yourself as a footballer ... it’s about adapting as a human being.
“It’s all about bouncing back and I learned a lot about myself as a person - what matters to me and what my values are.
“It wasn’t the greatest thing to go through and hear those things the club told me but in the long run it has helped me and made me more hungry.
“I can’t thank them for it but I can say it’s benefitted me in the long run.”
Dual nationality Timotheou’s international allegiances are still to be determined.
He’s made six appearances for the Young Socceroos but was courted by Greece late last year.
“I want to play for a national team, be it Australia or Greece,” he said.
“It’s really a matter of who might want me or show interest.
“Right now though my focus is all about letting my club football do the talking and the other stuff will come.
“Greece were in contact late last year before the Christmas and were interested in bringing me in for a camp,” Timotheou revealed.
“But I was training with the first team at the time and they didn’t want to release me back then. They’re still in touch with me and I’m on their radar.”
Sydney Olympic CEO John Boulous isn’t surprised by Timotheou’s Bundesliga breakthrough.
“He put in the extras every day with us and was a true professional in a semi professional environment,” he said.
“He’s extremely driven and deserves everything he gets. He’s put in the effort and now has a wonderful opportunity.”
That pathway was eased by an existing partnership between Olympic and Schalke, who finished 14th in the Bundesliga this season.
“They’re always on the lookout for talent and George obviously caught their eye,” added Boulous.
“George has been the first beneficiary of this partnership but he really did it all himself.
“It’s really a huge story for Australian football.”
