Vlachos began his career with Apollon Smyrnis, where he was called up for a debut with Greece in 1989.
He later represented both Olympiacos and AEK Athens, they winning the Greek championship with the latter.
During the 1994–95 season, Vlachos appeared for AEK in the UEFA Champions League, scoring in a 1–3 loss to Casino Salzburg in the group stage.
[1] In 1998, Vlachos joined English First Division club Portsmouth, for whom he made over 50 league appearances as a midfielder and sweeper in two years.
He joined Walsall in February 2000, making 12 appearances for the club prior to relegation in May of the same year.