Niko Kirwan
Niko Mario Patrick Kirwan (born 4 September 1995) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Italian Serie C Group A club Padova and the New Zealand national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Niko Mario Patrick Kirwan | ||
| Date of birth | 4 September 1995 | ||
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Padova | ||
| Number | 26 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Auckland City | |||
| Waitakere United | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2017 | Team Wellington | 18 | (1) |
| 2017–2018 | Mestre | 21 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | Reggina | 35 | (1) |
| 2019–2021 | Reggiana | 50 | (0) |
| 2021– | Padova | 37 | (4) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021– | New Zealand | 6 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 August 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:05, 31 March 2022 (UTC) | |||
Club career Edit
Team Wellington Edit
Kirwan signed to play for Team Wellington in the New Zealand Football Championship for the 2016–2017 season.[1]
Mestre Edit
On the 28 July 2017, Kirwan signed a one-year deal with Mestre who play in the Italian Serie C.[2]
Reggina Edit
On 8 July 2018, Kirwan signed a one-year deal with an option for another two with Reggina who play in the Italian Serie C.[3]
Reggiana Edit
On 16 August 2019, he signed a 2-year contract with Reggiana.[4]
Padova Edit
International career Edit
On the 15 March 2018, Kirwan was called up for the New Zealand national football team as part of its 24-man squad for their friendly against Canada.[6]
He made his international debut with New Zealand in a 2–1 friendly win over Curaçao on 9 October 2021.[7] He scored his first international goal three days later, a late winner against Bahrain.[8]
International goals Edit
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 12 October 2021 | Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain | Bahrain | 1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly |
Personal life Edit
Kirwan is the son of New Zealand All Black Sir John Kirwan.[2] He lived in Italy for 10 years which is where he got his love of football from and learnt Italian.[2] He is of Italian descent through his mother Fiorella.[9] He also holds Italian citizenship.[10]
Honours Edit
Club Edit
- Team Wellington
References Edit
- ^ "All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan's son Niko set for shock All Whites call-up - report". Stuff.co.nz. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ a b c "Football: Bumpy road to professional football for Niko Kirwan". NZ Herald. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Reggina, Niko Kirwan è un nuovo calciatore amaranto". Ottoetrenta. 8 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
- ^ "NIKO KIRWAN È UN GIOCATORE DELLA REGGIO AUDACE F.C." (Press release) (in Italian). Reggiana. 16 August 2019.
- ^ "Niko Kirwan è un giocatore del Calcio Padova" [Niko Kirwan is a Calcio Padova player]. Padova Calcio. 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
- ^ "John Kirwan's son Niko named in All Whites squad for Canada friendly in Spain". Newshub. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Football: Gutsy All Whites grind out impressive victory over Curacao on international return". Newshub. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
- ^ Voerman, Andrew (13 October 2021). "It's unreal: Niko Kirwan pops up late to score winning goal as All Whites beat Bahrain". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Kiwi footballer Niko Kirwan signs first professional deal with Italian third division side". Stuff. 28 July 2017.
- ^ Sport, Sky. "Il figlio di John Kirwan in prova al Mestre" (in Italian). Retrieved 24 March 2018.
External links Edit
- Niko Kirwan at Soccerway
- Niko Kirwan at TuttoCalciatori.net (in Italian)