Born in Aridaia, Samaras began playing football with local side Almopos F.C. He signed for Panachaiki in July 1995, and appeared in 94 Alpha Ethniki matches for the club in four seasons. Brief stints in the Alpha Ethniki followed with PAOK, Athinaikos and Proodeftiki. He also played for Almopos, Larissa, Kavala, Thrasyvoulos and Makedonikos in the Greek Beta Ethniki and Gamma Ethniki.
