Nathan Burns is a retired Australian professional footballer who played for the Australian national team.
He began his professional career with Adelaide United, where he scored the club's first-ever hat trick in 2007.
Burns signed with AEK Athens in 2008, where he won the Greek Cup in the 2010-11 season.
Biography
Early Life
Nathan Burns is a retired Australian professional footballer known for his versatility on the field, playing both as a forward and midfielder. He began his football journey with the Parramatta Eagles and trained at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), which laid the foundation for his future career in professional football.
Club Career
Burns made his professional debut with Adelaide United in 2006, where he quickly made a name for himself by scoring the club's first-ever hat trick against Central Coast Mariners in January 2007. His impressive performance caught the attention of international clubs, leading to a move to AEK Athens in 2008. During his time in Greece, he made significant contributions, including scoring his first league goal in 2011 and helping AEK Athens win the Greek Cup in the 2010-11 season. After a loan spell at A.O.K. Kerkyra, he continued his career in South Korea with Incheon United and later played for several A-League teams, including Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix, where he earned accolades such as the Wellington Phoenix Player of the Year and the Johnny Warren Medal in the 2014-15 season.
International Career
On the international stage, Burns represented Australia at various youth levels, including the under-17 and under-20 teams, before making his senior debut for the Socceroos in 2007. He played a crucial role in Australia's campaign during the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, contributing to the team's victory. Burns scored his first senior international goal in a World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in 2015, marking a significant milestone in his international career.
Legacy
Throughout his career, Nathan Burns was recognized for his talent and potential, earning the Rising Star Award in the 2006-07 season. His journey reflects the challenges and triumphs of a professional athlete, leaving a lasting impact on Australian football.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Career & Clubs
Adelaide United
He formerly played for Parramatta Eagles and trained at the AIS. After a few substitute appearances for Adelaide United, Burns finally got his first start against Sydney FC scoring his first A-League goal in the 4–1 loss. On 21 January 2007 Burns scored Adelaide United's first ever hat trick during a match against Central Coast Mariners, giving his side a 2nd-place finish on the league table to close out the 2nd A-League season. After his great season with Adelaide United, Norwegian champions SK Brann invited Burns for a 10-day trial where he would train with fellow Socceroo Michael Thwaite.
AEK Athens
On 10 June 2008, he signed with AEK Athens on a four-year contract. He wore the number 24 shirt. Burns made his Greek Super League debut for AEK Athens on 28 February 2009, as 65th-minute substitute against Skoda Xanthi at the Spyros Louis Olympic Stadium in Athens. Burns scored the winner against Rangers in the final game of the 2010 Sydney Festival of Football. He scored his first league goal on 27 February 2011, in a 3–2 away win against Ergotelis. In August 2009, he was loaned out to Beta Ethniki side Kerkyra on a one-year loan deal. Although he was brought from Australia as a promising youngster, he never fulfilled his potential. On 19 January 2012 he terminated his contract with AEK.
Incheon United
He joined Korean club Incheon United on 25 January 2012. Burns was on loan with Australian side Newcastle Jets in the A-League…
Youth
He competed for the Joeys at 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Peru. He scored his first goal for the Young Socceroos in the AFC Youth Cup in a 3–1 win over Thailand.
Senior
He made his debut for the Socceroos with a brief appearance in the 3–0 win over Singapore on 30 June 2007. Burns came on as a substitute in the opening game in Melbourne of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup against Kuwait, and was twice denied a goal, the first when his shot hit the crossbar, and the second when the goalkeeper made a brilliant save. On 17 January 2015, Burns made his first start for the Socceroos since 2011, when he lined up for the final group game of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup for Australia against South Korea. On 3 September 2015, Burns scored his first goal for Australia, eight years after his senior debut, scoring in a 5–0 defeat of Bangladesh in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Club
International
International Goals
As of 24 March 2016 Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first.
- Club
- A.O.K. Kerkyra (2009–2010)
- Club
- FC Tokyo (2015–)
- Club
- Australia national under-17 association football team (2004–2005)
- Club
- Australia national under-23 soccer team (2007–2008)
- Club
- A.E.K. (2008–2012)
- Club
- Australia national under-17 association football team (2005–2005)
- Club
- Australia men's national under-20 soccer team (2006–2006)
- National team
- Australia
- Club
- Australia men's national under-20 soccer team (2006–2008)
- Club
- Newcastle Jets FC (2013–2014)
- Club
- Wellington Phoenix FC (2014–2015)
- Club
- Incheon United FC (2012–2014)
- Club
- Australia men's national soccer team (2007–)
- Club
- Adelaide United Football Club (2006–2008)
- Club
- AEK Athens F.C. (2008–2012)
Legacy
Player
AEK Athens
Greek Cup: 2010–11 Australia
AFC Asian Cup: 2015; runner-up 2011
Individual
Rising Star Award: 2006-07 Wellington Phoenix Player of the Year: 2014–15 Johnny Warren Medal: 2014–15 A-League PFA Team of the Season: 2014–15
Clubs
- Australia men's national soccer team2007current
- FC Tokyo2015current
- Australia national under-17 association football team2004–2005
- Australia national under-17 association football team2005–2005
- Adelaide United Football Club2006–2008
- Australia men's national under-20 soccer team2006–2008
- Australia men's national under-20 soccer team2006–2006
- Australia national under-23 soccer team2007–2008
- A.E.K.2008–2012
- AEK Athens F.C.2008–2012
- A.O.K. Kerkyra2009–2010
- Incheon United FC2012–2014
- Newcastle Jets FC2013–2014
- Wellington Phoenix FC2014–2015
Played together with
Aaron ClaphamWellington Phoenix FC · 2011–2011
Abdiel ArroyoNewcastle Jets FC · 2019–2020
Adam TaggartNewcastle Jets FC · 2012–2014- Adaílton dos Santos da SilvaFC Tokyo
Ahmad ElrichWellington Phoenix FC · 2007–2008
Akira KajiFC Tokyo · 2002–2005
Alex PaulsenWellington Phoenix FC · 2021–2024
Alex RuferWellington Phoenix FC · 2013- Almir Moraes AndradeFC Tokyo · 1999–1999
Alpay ÖzalanIncheon United FC · 2003–2004- Alpay ÖzalanIncheon United FC · 2004–2004
- Alvin CeccoliAdelaide United Football Club · 2008–2008
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Nathan Burns is a retired Australian professional footballer who played for the Australian national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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