 He left the next year for Ionikos, another mid-range club, also battling to avoid relegation.Managing even less appearances than the previous year, Frantzeskos decided to try out the Cypriot League, signing for AEK Larnaca, where he regained some of his former glory.That was not the case, however, when he returned to Greece in 2003, playing half a season for Aris Thessaloniki F.C.