Kenny Athiu

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)
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current team
 Melbourne Victory
Number 7
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) 6 (1)
2018– Melbourne Victory 0 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18 June 2018
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 7 November 2017

Kenjok "Kenny" Athiu (born 5 August 1992) is a Sudanese-born Australian footballer who plays as a forward professionally for Melbourne Victory in the A-League.

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.[1] In 2012, Athiu signed a short term deal with rivals Springvale White Eagles, with the success from the Springvale 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 former National Soccer League side Heidelberg United in the newly established National Premier League.

Melbourne Victory

After initially being linked with a move to Perth Glory,[2] Athiu signed his first professional contract with Melbourne Victory in October 2017 on a season-long loan from Heidelberg United.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5] On 18 June 2018, Athiu signed a new two-year contract with Melbourne Victory.[6]

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).[7] He initially settled in Keysborough, before moving to Noble Park and then Narre Warren.[8]

Athiu has seven siblings, and currently lives in Collingwood with Melbourne Victory teammate Thomas Deng, with both their families having known each other since they were children.[9]

Honours

Club

Heidelberg United
Melbourne Victory

Individual

References

  1. ↑ Stogiannou, George. "South Springvale revels in the rise of former junior Kenny Athiu". Herald Sun. News Corp. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ "Victory confirm Athiu signing". FourFourTwo. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  4. ↑ Tito, Clement (19 October 2017). "Muscat: We're easing Kenny into it". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  5. ↑ Tito, Clement. "King Kenny 'buzzing' but Muscat urges patience". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  6. ↑ "Athiu signs two year deal". Melbourne Victory. 18 June 2018.
  7. ↑ Stamocostas, Con (3 September 2016). "From refugee to Warrior king". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ Tito, Clement. "DENG EASES A-LEAGUE TRANSITION FOR 'KING KENNY'". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 4 February 2018.

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