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.

Niko Kirwan
Personal information
Full name Niko Mario Patrick Kirwan
Date of birth (1995-09-04) 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

Team Wellington

Kirwan signed to play for Team Wellington in the New Zealand Football Championship for the 2016–2017 season.[1]

Mestre

On the 28 July 2017, Kirwan signed a one-year deal with Mestre who play in the Italian Serie C.[2]

Reggina

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

On 16 August 2019, he signed a 2-year contract with Reggiana.[4]

Padova

Kirwan signed with Serie C side Padova in 2021.[5]

International career

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
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.12 October 2021Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain Bahrain1–01–0Friendly

Personal life

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

Club
Team Wellington

References
  1. "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.
  2. "Football: Bumpy road to professional football for Niko Kirwan". NZ Herald. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  3. "Reggina, Niko Kirwan è un nuovo calciatore amaranto". Ottoetrenta. 8 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  4. "NIKO KIRWAN È UN GIOCATORE DELLA REGGIO AUDACE F.C." (Press release) (in Italian). Reggiana. 16 August 2019.
  5. "Niko Kirwan è un giocatore del Calcio Padova" [Niko Kirwan is a Calcio Padova player]. Padova Calcio. 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  6. "John Kirwan's son Niko named in All Whites squad for Canada friendly in Spain". Newshub. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  7. "Football: Gutsy All Whites grind out impressive victory over Curacao on international return". Newshub. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  8. 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.
  9. "Kiwi footballer Niko Kirwan signs first professional deal with Italian third division side". Stuff. 28 July 2017.
  10. Sport, Sky. "Il figlio di John Kirwan in prova al Mestre" (in Italian). Retrieved 24 March 2018.


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