Thomas Deng
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Deng | ||
| Date of birth | 20 March 1997 | ||
| Place of birth | Nairobi, Kenya | ||
| Playing position | Centre-back / right-back[1] | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Melbourne Victory | ||
| Number | 24 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2011[2]–2013 | Western Eagles | ||
| 2014 | Green Gully | ||
| 2014– | Melbourne Victory Youth | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2013 | Western Eagles | 15 | (2) |
| 2014 | Green Gully | 13 | (0) |
| 2015– | Melbourne Victory Youth | 10 | (0) |
| 2015– | Melbourne Victory | 12 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2015– | Australia U20 | 7 | (0) |
| 2016– | Australia U23 | 1 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 27 March 2016. | |||
Thomas Deng (born 20 March 1997) is an Australian football (soccer) player who plays as a central defender for Melbourne Victory FC in the A-League.
Club Career
Deng made his senior football debut as a 16 year old in 2013 at Western Eagles F.C. under then-manager Srečko Barešić-Nikić in the Victorian State League Division 3. The following season, the youngster moved to nearby Green Gully SC, where manager Bob Stojcevski recruited Deng to play for the club's u20 side. He was eventually promoted to the senior team and made 13 first team appearances in the NPL Victoria in 2014.[3]
Following his impressive performances at Gully, Melbourne Victory National Youth League coach Darren Davies rewarded Deng with a youth contract. Deng debuted for the senior team for Melbourne Victory against Balmain Tigers in the 2015 FFA Cup. He made his A-League debut on 9 October 2015 against Adelaide United, as a substitute replacing Fahid Ben Khalfallah after a red card was shown to Leigh Broxham. Thomas made his starting debut in the A-League for Melbourne Victory on 17 October 2015 in round 2 against town rivals, Melbourne City FC, where he was selected as Man of the Match by supporters and social media.
International career
He has been a part of main squad of Olyroos at the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship but didn't score any goal.
Due to being born in Kenya and having South Sudanese heritage, he is eligible to play for Australia, Kenya and South Sudan.
Personal Life
Deng was born into a family of South Sudanese refugees in Nairobi, Kenya. He, along with his family, were fleeing from the conflict in South Sudan and eventually resettled in Australia.[3]
References
- ↑ "Meet the youth team players named in MVFC's A-League squad". Melbourne Victory FC. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ↑ http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/video/604722755961/Deng-on-how-he-made-it-to-Olyroos-level
- 1 2 Kulas, Damir. "The rise and rise of Thomas Deng". The Corner Flag. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
External links
- Thomas Deng profile at Soccerway
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