Gianni Stensness
Gianni Stensness (born 7 February 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for A-League club Central Coast Mariners.[1] Born and raised in Australia, but with a New Zealand father,[2] Stensness has been called up for both Australian and New Zealand representative teams in his youth.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Gianni Stensness | ||
Date of birth | 7 February 1999 | ||
Place of birth | Australia | ||
Playing position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Central Coast Mariners | ||
Number | 32 | ||
Youth career | |||
2016–2017 | North Shore Mariners | ||
2017 | Central Coast Mariners | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2017 | CCM Academy | 26 | (2) |
2018 | Manly United | 7 | (0) |
2018–2019 | Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 12 | (1) |
2019 | Wellington Phoenix | 4 | (0) |
2019– | Central Coast Mariners | 18 | (1) |
National team‡ | |||
2019– | New Zealand U-20 | 4 | (1) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 October 2019 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 2 March 2020 |
Club career
Wellington Phoenix
On 9 March 2019, Stensness played his first professional game for Wellington Phoenix. He came on as a substitute for Mandi in an 8–2 win over his former side, Central Coast Mariners.[3] In June 2019, he left Wellington Phoenix to explore opportunities in Europe.[4]
Central Coast Mariners
Stensness returned empty-handed from Europe to the A-League and checked with Wellington Phoenix if they were willing to offer him another contract. However, Wellington Phoenix had moved on with their recruitment, so he signed a one-year contract with Central Coast Mariners in August 2019.[5]
International career
Eligible for both Australia and New Zealand, 17-year old Stensness was named by Ufuk Talay in an Australian under-20 national team training camp on 31 January 2017.[6]
On 11 February 2019, Stensness was invited by New Zealand under-20 national team coach Des Buckingham to a talent identification camp in Auckland.[7] On 23 March 2019 he declared his desire to represent New Zealand.[2]
On 28 May 2019, Stensness scored his first goal for New Zealand at the U-20 World Cup against Norway, helping his team advance to the round of 16.[8]
References
- Rollo, Phillip (5 March 2019). "Wellington Phoenix promote Australian-raised Kiwi youngster Gianni Stensness". Stuff.co.nz.
- Rollo, Phillip (23 March 2019). "Wellington Phoenix rookie switches allegiance to New Zealand". Stuff. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
- Rollo, Phillip (10 March 2019). "Humiliating defeat against 'ruthless' Wellington Phoenix costs Mariners coach Mike Mulvey his job". Stuff.co.nz.
- Rollo, Phillip (21 June 2019). "Wellington Phoenix lock in hometown product Ben Waine on two-year deal". Stuff.co.nz.
Meanwhile, Gianni Stensness has rejected an upgraded contract and will be moving on from the club after one season to explore opportunities in Europe.
- "Central Coast Mariners offer lifeline to under-20 midfielder Gianni Stensness". Stuff.co.nz. 28 August 2019.
- "Stensness named in Young Socceroos". Central Coast Mariners. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
- "U-20s ID camp to be held in Auckland". NZ Football. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
- Voerman, Andrew (28 May 2019). "Gianni Stensness screamer helps New Zealand win at Fifa Under-20 World Cup". Stuff.co.nz.