Chris Killen

Chris Killen
Chris Killen.jpg
Chris Killen playing for Middlesbrough.
Personal information
Full name Christopher John Killen
Date of birth 8 October 1981 (1981-10-08) (age 29)
Place of birth Wellington, New Zealand
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Shenzhen Ruby
Number 9
Youth career
Rongotai College
1995–1998 Miramar Rangers
1998–1999 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1999–2002 Manchester City 3 (0)
2000 → Wrexham (loan) 12 (3)
2001 → Port Vale (loan) 9 (6)
2002–2006 Oldham Athletic 78 (17)
2006–2007 Hibernian 25 (16)
2007–2010 Celtic 26 (2)
2009 → Norwich City (loan) 4 (0)
2010 Middlesbrough 17 (3)
2010– Shenzhen Ruby 4 (2)
National team‡
New Zealand U20 4 (2)
2008 New Zealand U23 5 (1)
2001– New Zealand 34 (19)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 04:42, 24 July 2010 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 25 June 2010

Christopher John "Chris" Killen (born 8 October 1981) is a New Zealand international[1][2] footballer who plays as a striker for Chinese Super League club Shenzhen Ruby F.C.[3]. Killen grew up in Wellington and played his club football for Miramar Rangers. After a trial with Manchester City, he joined City's youth academy. His first senior club appearances came during a loan spell at Wrexham in September 2000, and the following season he was loaned to Port Vale. Killen joined Oldham Athletic in July 2002 for £250,000,[4] but failed to match his price tag through persistent injury, and was eventually released on a free transfer.

In January 2006, Killen joined Hibernian on a free transfer.[5] Killen scored 11 goals for Hibs in the early part of the 2006–07 season, but a ruptured achilles prematurely ended his season in January. Killen's contract with Hibernian expired in the summer of 2007, and he rejected the offer of a one-year extension from the Edinburgh club. He then signed for Celtic on a three year contract,[6] but found first team opportunities hard to come by, and was loaned to Norwich City during the 2008–09 season.[7] Killen rejoined his former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough in January 2010.

Killen made his international debut for New Zealand during the 2000 OFC Nations Cup,[8] and was included in the New Zealand U23 squad for their appearance at the 2008 Olympic Games as one of 3 over age players. He was also named as part of the New Zealand squad for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Contents

Club career

Early career

Born in Wellington, Killen grew up in the Wellington suburb of Island Bay. As a youth he attended Rongotai College. Killen represented the college in junior grades, and was selected to tour Australia with the New Zealand Secondary Schools representative team in 1998, along with future All Whites Leo Bertos and Tony Lochhead.

Killen played his club football for Miramar Rangers, whose coach arranged a trial with Manchester City.[9] The trial was successful, and the 17 year old Killen joined City's youth academy. His first senior club appearances came during a loan spell at Wrexham in September 2000. He scored his first league goal on 9 September 2000 against Oldham,[10] and in total scored three goals in nine appearances for the Welsh club. The following season he was loaned to Port Vale, scoring six goals in nine league games. In November 2001 he was recalled from loan as a number of Manchester City strikers were injured, and was a substitute in a 2–1 win against Rotherham United.[11] he made two further substitute appearances that season, and finished as top goalscorer for the reserves.[12]

Oldham Athletic

He joined Oldham Athletic in July 2002[4] for £250,000. He remained with Oldham for over three years, scoring 31 goals in 79 starts.[13] Killen was Oldham's top scorer in the 2004–05 season, scoring 15 goals in 30 starts.[13] Killen was "jinxed" by injury, however, and Oldham allowed him to move to Hibernian on a free transfer.[13] After Killen had left the club, manager Ronnie Moore claimed that Killen had "underachieved" during his time with the club.[14] The club's managing director issued a statement on the club website stating that Killen had cost £13,000 per game and £36,000 per goal due to his injury record and expensive contract.[14]

Hibernian

In January 2006, Killen joined Hibernian on a free transfer.[5] He scored on his debut as he netted the third goal in Hibs' 3–0 defeat of Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup 4th round in February 2006.[15] His first home goal was the opener in a 7–0 win against Livingston four days later.[16] Despite arriving in January, he had scored five goals for Hibs by the end of the season. He also scored the opening goal of Hibs 5–0 defeat of Latvia's Dinaburg in the Intertoto Cup second round game at Easter Road on 2 July 2006.[17].

Following the departure of strikers Garry O'Connor and Derek Riordan, Killen was expected to be an important player for Hibs in 2006–07. By December 2006 he had scored 11 goals, including two in a 2–1 win over Rangers.[18] A ruptured achilles suffered in a 2–2 draw with Aberdeen in a Scottish Cup tie prematurely ended his season in January. Killen's contract with Hibernian expired in the summer of 2007, and he rejected the offer of a one-year extension from the Edinburgh club.

Celtic

Killen was expected to sign for Cardiff City,[19] but he instead signed for Celtic on a three year contract.[6] Killen made his debut on 5 August 2007, coming off the bench in a goalless draw against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park. His first goal for the club came on 7 October at Fir Park; with Celtic trailing 1–0 to Gretna, Killen equalised in the 89th minute before Scott McDonald scored the winner for Celtic in stoppage time. He made his UEFA Champions League debut for Celtic at the Estádio da Luz against Benfica on 24 October.

After that, however, he found chances hard to come by as he found himself behind Scott McDonald, Georgios Samaras and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink in selection. Killen played mostly for the Celtic reserve team, but he scored a goal against Southampton in a pre-season friendly in May 2008. He hardly featured in the first team at all, leading to him being loaned out to Norwich City. At the end of the 2008–09 season, however, manager Gordon Strachan resigned and Celtic replaced him with Tony Mowbray, who had previously managed Killen at Hibernian.

Killen's hopes of regaining a first team place at Celtic for the 2009–10 season were boosted in pre-season friendly matches, as he scored two goals against Brisbane Roar[20] and came off the bench to score in a 5–0 win against Al-Ahly. Killen then started Celtic's following pre-season match against Tottenham Hotspur, and he opened the scoring in this match with a neat headed finish following a pinpoint cross by teammate Paul Caddis. Killen scored his first league goal at Celtic Park on 20 September, Celtic's first goal in a 2–1 win against Hearts.

Norwich City

On 31 January 2009 Killen joined Championship side Norwich City on loan for the remainder of the 2008–09 season.[7] Killen made his first appearance for Norwich in the 3–3 draw away to Wolverhampton on the 3 February. He returned to training with Celtic after only making four substitute appearances.

Middlesbrough

Killen left Celtic in January 2010 and joined his former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough along with teammates Willo Flood and Barry Robson.[21]

Killen scored his first goal for Middlesbrough on 9 February, in a 2–1 win against Barnsley.[22]

He left the club when his contract expired in June 2010.

Shenzhen Ruby

After being released by Middlesbrough, Killen signed a year and half contract with Chinese Super League side Shenzhen Ruby on July 24, 2010.[23]

Killen scored his first goal for Shenzhen on his debut against Liaoning Whowin in a Chinese Super League match on July 28, 2010.[24]

International career

Killen has represented New Zealand at U-20 and U-23 level and was included in the New Zealand U-23 squad for their first appearance at the Olympic Games as one of 3 over age players, alongside Ryan Nelsen and Simon Elliott[25]

Killen made his international debut for the New Zealand senior team during the 2000 OFC Nations Cup against Tahiti,[8][26] three months before his first senior appearance at club level. He collected his 20th cap (8 goals) against Brazil on 4 June 2006.

He was named as part of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup New Zealand squad to travel to South Africa.[27][28] Killen scored twice in their final warm up game, a 4–3 defeat against World champions Italy. Killen also featured in the team that beat Bahrain in a two-legged Asia/Oceania playoff to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

International goals
# Date Opponent Final Score Result Competition
1 21 June 2000  Vanuatu 3-1 Win 2000 OFC Nations Cup
2
3 7 July 2002  Papua New Guinea 9-1 Win 2002 OFC Nations Cup
4
5
6
7 12 July 2002  Vanuatu 3-0 Win 2002 OFC Nations Cup
8 27 May 2006  Georgia 1-3 Win Friendly
9 10 June 2009  Italy 4-3 Loss Friendly
10
11 24 May 2010  Australia 2-1 Loss Friendly
Last updated 25 May 2010

Career statistics

All-Time Club Performances
Club Season England Second Division FA Cup Carling Cup Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Wrexham F.C.
on loan from Manchester City
(Second Division)		 2000–01 12 3 12 3
Club Total 12 3 12 3
Club Season England First Division FA Cup Carling Cup Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Manchester City F.C.
(First Division)		 2001–02 3 0 3 0
Club Total 3 0 3 0
Club Season England Second Division FA Cup Carling Cup Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Port Vale F.C.
on loan from Manchester City
(Second Division)		 2001–02 9 6 9 6
Club Total 9 6 9 6
Club Season England Second Division FA Cup Carling Cup Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
(Second Division)
(Football League One)		 2002–03 27 3 3 0 3 1 33 4
2003–04 13 2 13 2
England Football League One FA Cup Carling Cup Europe Total
2004–05 26 10 2 4 2 0 30 14
2005–06 12 2 12 2
Club Total 78 17 5 4 5 1 88 22
Club Season Scotland Premier League Scottish Cup Scottish League Cup Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Hibernian F.C.
(Scottish Premier League)		 2005–06 7 3 1 1 3 0 11 4
2006–07 18 13 1 1 2 0 3 1 24 15
Club Total 25 16 2 2 2 0 6 1 35 19
Club Season Scotland Premier League Scottish Cup Scottish League Cup Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Celtic F.C.
(Scottish Premier League)		 2007–08 20 1 1 0 1 0 5 0 27 1
2008–09 1 0 1 0
Club Season England Championship FA Cup Carling Cup Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Norwich City F.C.
on loan from Celtic
(Football League Championship)		 2008–09 4 0 4 0
Club Total 4 0 4 0
Club Season Scotland Premier League Scottish Cup Scottish League Cup Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Celtic F.C.
(Scottish Premier League)		 2009–10 5 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 8 2
Club Total 26 2 1 0 3 1 6 0 36 3
Club Season England Championship FA Cup Carling Cup Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Middlesbrough F.C.
(Football League Championship)		 2009–10 17 3 17 3
Club Total 17 3 17 3
Career totals 174 47 8 6 10 2 12 1 204 56
Last updated 20 June 2010

Honours

References

  1. ↑ "A-International Appearances - Overall". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. http://www.ultimatenzsoccer.com/NZRepSoccer/id1708.htm. Retrieved 3 June 2009. 
  2. ↑ "A-International Scorers - Overall". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. http://www.ultimatenzsoccer.com/NZRepSoccer/id1842.htm. Retrieved 3 June 2009. 
  3. ↑ "Chris Killen joins Chinese club". Stuff.co.nz. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/3959471/Chris-Killen-joins-Chinese-club. Retrieved 27 July 2010. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Killen for Oldham". BBC Sport. 30 July 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oldham_athletic/2161092.stm. Retrieved 2 January 2010. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "All White signs for Hibs". TVNZ ONE Sport. 27 January 2006. http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411317/654394. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Celtic in surprise Killen swoop". BBC Sport. 30 May 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/6706603.stm. Retrieved 2 January 2010. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Norwich secure Killen loan deal". BBC Sport. 31 January 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/7862582.stm. Retrieved 2 January 2010. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "A-International Lineups". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. http://www.ultimatenzsoccer.com/NZRepSoccer/id1565.htm. Retrieved 4 June 2009. 
  9. ↑ "Killen striking the right notes". Scotland on Sunday. http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=220382006. Retrieved 2 November 2007. 
  10. ↑ "Wrexham 3-1 Oldham". BBC. 9 September 2000. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/916118.stm. Retrieved 2 November 2007. 
  11. ↑ "Man City 2 Rotherham 1". Manchester Evening News. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/s/37/37130_man_city_2_rotherham_1.html. Retrieved 2 November 2007. 
  12. ↑ "Killen a chart topper". Manchester Evening News. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/s/11/11074_killen_a_chart_topper.html. Retrieved 2 November 2007. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "CHRIS KILLEN JOINS HIBERNIAN". Oldham Athletic A.F.C.. 26 January 2006. http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/NewsUpdate/0,,10337~774027,00.html. Retrieved 16 February 2010. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Browne, Gavin (2 February 2006). "Moore: Critical Killen should be thankful". Manchester Evening News. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/oldham_athletic/s/202/202999_moore_critical_killen_should_be_thankful.html. Retrieved 16 February 2010. 
  15. ↑ "Rangers 0–3 Hibernian". BBC Sport. 4 February 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/4676068.stm. Retrieved 2 January 2010. 
  16. ↑ "Hibernian 7–0 Livingston". BBC Sport. 8 February 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4689666.stm. Retrieved 2 January 2010. 
  17. ↑ "Hibernian 5–0 Dinaburg Daugavpils". BBC Sport. 2 July 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/5133742.stm. Retrieved 2 January 2010. 
  18. ↑ "Hibernian 2–1 Rangers". BBC Sport. 17 September 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/5345670.stm. Retrieved 2 January 2010. 
  19. ↑ "Killen closes on Bluebirds move". BBC Sport. 28 May 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/6698117.stm. Retrieved 2 January 2010. 
  20. ↑ "Hoops too good for Roar". The World Game. 13 July 2009. http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/hoops-too-good-for-roar-204102. 
  21. ↑ "Middlesbrough sign Celtic trio". Celtic FC. 13 January 2010. http://www.celticfc.net/news/stories/news_130110150005.aspx. 
  22. ↑ "Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Barnsley". BBC. 9 February 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8501328.stm. Retrieved 16 February 2010. 
  23. ↑ http://tvnz.co.nz/football-news/chinese-club-nabs-killen-3674372
  24. ↑ http://tvnz.co.nz/football-news/killen-shines-shenzhen-debut-3678254
  25. ↑ "Olympic Football Squads Named". New Zealand Olympic Committee. 4 July 2008. http://www.olympic.org.nz/Article.aspx?Mode=1&ID=6019. Retrieved 4 July 2008. 
  26. ↑ "Kill tug of war". Edinburgh Evening News. http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=142212006. Retrieved 2 November 2007. 
  27. ↑ "New Zealand - All Whites name Confederations Cup squad". Oceania Football confederation. 7 May 2009. http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofcnewsdetails/new-zealand---all-whites-name-squad-for-fifa-confederations-cup. 
  28. ↑ "2009 Confederations Cup - New Zealand squad". FIFA.com. http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/teams/team=43978/squadlist.html. Retrieved 9 June 2009. 

External links

Shenzhen Ruby F.C. – current squad

1 Zhang Xunwei · 2 Ren Xin · 4 Liu Shuai · 5 Hussein · 6 Xu Yihai · 7 Živković · 8 Li Fei · 9 Killen · 10 Hleb · 11 Pi Siwei · 12 Cheng Yuelei · 13 Li Lingwei · 16 Shi Yong · 17 Quan Heng · 18 Nägelein · 19 Li Haoyuan · 20 Wang Dong · 21 Ji Chao · 22 Yuan Lin · 23 Huang Fengtao · 24 Yin Xiaolong · 25 Li Xin · 26 Shi Ning · 27 Li Jiahe · 28 Huang Long · 29 Xing Kai · 30 Wang Qingfeng · 31 Zhang Yu · 32 Song Chen · 35 Wang Erzhuo · 36 Cheng Liang · 37 Vicelich · 38 Huang Xin · Manager: Gogić