Kenny Athiu

Kenjok "Kenny" Athiu (born 5 August 1992) is a South Sudanese-Australian footballer who last played as a forward professionally for Melbourne Victory in the A-League and the South Sudan national football team.

Kenny Athiu
Personal information
Full name Kenjok Athiu
Date of birth (1992-08-05) 5 August 1992
Place of birth Sudan (now South Sudan)
Height 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
2006–2010 South Springvale
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 South Springvale 36 (17)
2012 Springvale White Eagles 9 (2)
2012–2014 Box Hill United 40 (30)
2015–2018 Heidelberg United 74 (43)
2017–2018 → Melbourne Victory (loan) 4 (1)
2018–2020 Melbourne Victory 32 (0)
National team‡
2019– South Sudan 7 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 24 August 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17 November 2019

Club career

Youth

Athiu joined South Springvale SC in 2006 at 14 years of age, and became a member of the first team three years later.[2] In 2012, Athiu signed a short term deal with rivals Springvale White Eagles, with the success from the Springvale based clubs later earning him a deal with the more prominent Victorian State League side Box Hill United in the same year. Following more success, in 2014 Athiu signed for Heidelberg United in the NPL Victoria.

Melbourne Victory

After initially being linked with a move to Perth Glory,[3] Athiu signed his first professional contract with Melbourne Victory in October 2017 on a season-long loan from Heidelberg United.[4] Victory coach Kevin Muscat initially stated that it would be some time before Athiu would make the first team due to injury and fitness concerns.[5] Nevertheless, Athiu made his debut for the club as a substitute in a draw with Western Sydney Wanderers on 6 November after a number of Melbourne's attacking players were unavailable for the game.[6] On 18 June 2018, Athiu signed a new two-year contract with Melbourne Victory.[7] On 28 August 2020, Melbourne Victory announced that Athiu would not be receiving a new contract.[8]

International career

Athiu is eligible to represent his nation of birth of South Sudan or his country of residence in Australia, Athiu was called upon to be part of South Sudan's 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.[9] Athiu made his international debut for his country of birth South Sudan against Equatorial Guinea on 4 September 2019 in the first leg of the first round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Athiu was substituted on David Majak Chan at the 54th minute and assisted in the equalizing goal of the eventual 1-1 draw.[10][11][12][13]

Personal life

Athiu was born in Sudan but left with his family as a refugee in the Second Sudanese Civil War, first to Kenya (aged four) and then to Australia (aged eleven).[14] He initially settled in Keysborough, before moving to Noble Park and then Narre Warren.[15]

Athiu has seven siblings, and is good friends with former teammate Thomas Deng, with both their families having known each other since they were children.[16]

Career statistics
As of 22 February 2020
Club Season League Cup[A] Continental[B] Other[C] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Melbourne Victory 2017–18 Y-League10––––––10
2017–18 A-League41225120134
2018–19 140105020220
2019–20 130002000150
Career total 3113211140514

Footnotes
A. ^ Includes appearances in the FFA Cup.
B. ^ Includes appearances in the AFC Champions League.
C. ^ Includes appearances in the A-League finals.

Honours

Club
Heidelberg United
Melbourne Victory

Individual

References
  1. "Kenny Athiu". Melbourne Victory FC. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  2. Stogiannou, George. "South Springvale revels in the rise of former junior Kenny Athiu". Herald Sun. News Corp. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  3. Mitchell, Tim. "Ken Athiu set for A-League deal with Perth Glory after prolific NPL season at Heidelberg United". Herald Sun. News Corp. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  4. "Victory confirm Athiu signing". FourFourTwo. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  5. Tito, Clement (19 October 2017). "Muscat: We're easing Kenny into it". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  6. Tito, Clement. "King Kenny 'buzzing' but Muscat urges patience". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  7. "Athiu signs two year deal". Melbourne Victory. 18 June 2018.
  8. "Victory launch massive cleanout as another four players leave". FTBL. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  9. https://www.melbournevictory.com.au/news/athiu-named-south-sudan-squad-world-cup-qualifiers
  10. https://www.goal.com/en-au/news/victory-striker-athiu-makes-surprise-international-debut-in/1jc1gtsmhw8fu1qvldgxp6vy2r
  11. https://dailyfootballshow.com/australian-links-aplenty-as-south-sudan-open-2022-world-cup-qualifying-campaign/
  12. https://www.a-league.com.au/news/history-awaits-uncapped-athiu-gets-south-sudan-call
  13. https://au.eurosport.com/football/liberia-win-on-opening-day-of-african-world-cup-qualifiers_sto7443466/story.shtml
  14. Stamocostas, Con (3 September 2016). "From refugee to Warrior king". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  15. Windley, Matt. "Heidelberg striker Ken Athiu keeping a level head after his winning FFA Cup goal against Perth Glory". Herald Sun. News Corp. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  16. Tito, Clement. "DENG EASES A-LEAGUE TRANSITION FOR 'KING KENNY'". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 4 February 2018.

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