Nicolas King

Nicolas King
Personal information
Full name Nicolas Francis King[1]
Date of birth (2004-04-14) 14 April 2004 (age 20)[1]
Place of birth Port Vila, Vanuatu
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Valentine FC
Youth career
Mauriki
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2023[2][3] Mauriki
2024– Valentine FC 1 (1[4])
International career‡
2022– Vanuatu U19 1 (0)
2023– Vanuatu U23 4 (2)
2024–[3] Vanuatu 3 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:29 15 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 December 2024

Nicolas Francis King (born 14 April 2004) is a Vanuatuan footballer who plays as a defender for Australian club Valentine FC in the National Premier Leagues Northern NSW and the Vanuatu national team.

Early life

King was born on 14 April 2004[1] in Port Vila to Francis and Gloria Julia King.[2][5] His father is a businessman and former Member of Parliament for the Efate Rural constituency in Vanuatu.[2][5] His mother is also a Member of Parliament and was a former international footballer and manager for Vanuatu.[2][5] King attended Central School in Port Vila and played football for Mauriki, eventually breaking into their first team at the age of 16.[2][5] He was offered a two-week trial by A-League Men club Central Coast Mariners in Gosford, Australia through Brian Kaltak's agent in December 2023.[2][5][6]

Club career

Following his trial with Central Coast Mariners, King was announced in January 2024 to have joined Valentine FC in the National Premier Leagues Northern NSW.[7] He scored on his debut for the club.[4]

International career

King represented the Vanuatu under-19 in the OFC U-19 Championship and Vanuatu under-23 squads.[1][2][5] He was named captain for the under-23s ahead of the 2023 OFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament.[2][5]

During the 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup, King made his debut for the Vanuatu senior team against Solomon Islands on 9 December 2024.[3] He scored his first goal for Vanuatu as they lost the match 4–1.[8]

Career statistics

International

As of match played 15 December 2024.[4]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Vanuatu 2024 3 1
Total 3 1
Scores and results list Vanuatu's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each King goal.[4]
List of international goals scored by Nicolas King
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1. 10 December 2024 Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands 1  Solomon Islands 1–3 1–4 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup [8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "N. King: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Campo, Jose (11 December 2023). "Vanuatun teen eyes Central Coast Mariners breakthrough". The Roar. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Nicolas King". National Football Teams.
  4. ^ a b c d "Nicolas King (Valentine)". Flashscore. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Evans, Kyle (7 December 2023). "Central Coast Mariners turn their sights on another Vanuatu footballer". ABC Pacific. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  6. ^ Mwia, Nicholas (2 December 2023). "U-23 captain leaving for trial with Central Coast Mariners". Vanuatu Daily Post. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  7. ^ Mwai, Nicholas (10 January 2024). "King to play for Valentine FC in Australia". Vanuatu Daily Post. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Solomon Islands MSG Cup Defense". Tavuli News. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.