Tzanakakis started his football career at the infrastructure segments of Heraklion-based Superleague side Ergotelis, and signed his first professional contract with the club on 29 November 2011.
[1] Despite the club being relegated at the end of the season, Tzanakakis impressed with his subsequent stellar performances in the Greek Football League, drawing the attention of Greek champions Olympiacos, who arranged for both his, as well as teammate Andreas Bouchalakis' transfer in March 2013.
[2] After celebrating promotion to the Superleague at the end of the 2012–13 season with Ergotelis, Tzanakakis went on to sign a 4-year contract with Olympiacos in July 2013.
On 21 July 2015, Tzanakakis signed a one-year contract with Cypriot First Division side Anorthosis, again on loan from Olympiacos.
[5] He scored the first goal in his career on 27 April 2016, during a 1−1 championship draw vs. Apollon Limassol.