After the Asia Minor disaster, his family moved to Athens and installed at the district of Nea Ionia.

In 1933, people of AEK Athens scouted him and he signed a sport's card with the club.

He started from the youth departments of AEK and he was promoted to the men's team in 1935, alongside Maropoulos and participated in an official match.

He was insightful, extremely fast, creative and team and in addition to being an aggressive midfielder, he was also distinguished by his inhibitions.

[3][4] He wore once the jersey of Greece on 25 May 1949, against Italy B in a 2–3 defeat, with Tzanetis coming from the bench on the 46th minute.