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Draft:Panagiotis Kikianis

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Panagiotis Kikianis
Personal information
Date of birth (2005-03-08) 8 March 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Adelaide, Australia
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Adelaide United
Number 51
Youth career
2011–2013 Fulham United
2014–2017 West Adelaide
2018–2020 Football SA NTC
2021– Adelaide United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Adelaide United NPL 35 (0)
2023– Adelaide United 14 (2)
International career
2023– Australia U20 3 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 January 2025
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 4 January 2025

Panagiotis "Pana" Kikianis (born 8 March 2005) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a defender for A-League Men club Adelaide United.

Club career

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Born in Adelaide, South Australia, Kikianis played in the youth leagues of the National Premier Leagues with West Adelaide and the National Training Centre program before playing for Adelaide United in 2021.[1] He signed his first professional contract on 6 September 2023 as a scholarship player.[2]

During the 2023–24 season, Kikianis made his senior debut on 3 March 2024 in a 4–0 defeat to Central Coast Mariners and scored his first goal, a late-equaliser, in a 3–3 draw to Perth Glory.[3][4] After making five appearances and one goal that season, Kikianis extended on a five-year contract for Adelaide United on 4 July, being the first recipient tied to a five-year contract in A-League history.[4]

The 2024–25 season was a breakout season for Kikianis, where he became a regular starter and formed a centre-back partnership with Bart Vriends who "massively" impacted the growth of Kikianis according to Adelaide United assistant coach Mark Milligan.[5]

International career

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Kikianis received his first international callup when he was selected as part of the Australian under 18 team which participated in the FPF Portugal Sub-18 tournament in June 2023.[6] He then was called up for the Australia U20 side which competed in 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification.[7], In his first appearance of the tournament, he scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Macau.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Pisani, Sacha (4 July 2024). "A-Leagues history made as 19-year-old signs groundbreaking contract with Adelaide". A-Leagues. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  2. ^ "O'Neil, Kikianis, Bovalina confirmed on scholarship contracts". Adelaide United. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  3. ^ Comito, Matt (9 February 2024). "Re-live a 'thrilling rollercoaster ride of football' with 6 goals & a 98th-minute equaliser!". A-Leagues. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Pana Pens Five-Year Contract Extension with Adelaide United". Adelaide United. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  5. ^ Pisani, Sacha (18 December 2024). "Adelaide's new prodigy is a CB & he's got the perfect mentor: 12 games in, the numbers are elite". Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  6. ^ "Panagiotis Kikianis called up for Australian U-18 honours". Football Australia. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  7. ^ "Young Socceroo Panagiotis Kikianis named in squad for U20 Asian Cup qualifers". Neos Kosmos. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  8. ^ "Kikianis nets twice as Subway Young Socceroos defeat Macau 2-0". Football Australia. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
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