Aung Thu (footballer)

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Aung Thu
အောင်သူ

| image = Aung Thu 20180318 (cropped 2).jpg

| image_size = 180

| caption = Thu with Police Tero in 2018

| fullname = Aung Thu

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|05|22|df=y}}

| birth_place = Pindale Village, Meiktila Township, Mandalay Region{{cite news|title=Myanma Ruby in Thailand|url=https://www.thevoicejournal.com/archives/7364|language=my|access-date=25 January 2022|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124070713/https://www.thevoicejournal.com/archives/7364|url-status=dead}}

| height = {{height|meters=1.68}}

| currentclub = Uthai Thani

| clubnumber = 36

| position = Attacking midfielder, winger

| youthyears1 = 2011–2013

| youthclubs1 = Mandalay Football Academy

| years1 = 2013–2020

| clubs1 = Yadanarbon

| caps1 = 131

| goals1 = 34

| years2 = 2018

| clubs2 = → Police Tero (loan)

| caps2 = 30

| goals2 = 11

| years3 = 2019

| clubs3 = → Muangthong United (loan)

| caps3 = 13

| goals3 = 3

| years4 = 2020–2022

| clubs4 = Buriram United

| caps4 = 35

| goals4 = 4

| years5 = 2023

| clubs5 = Lamphun Warriors

| caps5 = 13

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2023–

| clubs6 = Uthai Thani

| caps6 = 15

| goals6 = 2

| nationalyears1 = 2011

| nationalteam1 = Myanmar U16

| nationalcaps1 = 4

| nationalgoals1 = 4

| nationalyears2 = 2013–2017

| nationalteam2 = Myanmar U20

| nationalcaps2 = 19

| nationalgoals2 = 12

| nationalyears3 = 2017–2018

| nationalteam3 = Myanmar U23

| nationalcaps3 = 16

| nationalgoals3 = 5

| nationalyears4 = 2015–

| nationalteam4 = Myanmar

| nationalcaps4 = 48

| nationalgoals4 = 11

| pcupdate = 20 January 2023

| ntupdate = 21 November 2023

}}

Aung Thu ({{langx|my|အောင်သူ}}; born 22 May 1995) is a Burmese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger for Thai League 1 club Uthai Thani and Myanmar national team. He has represented Myanmar internationally at under-17, under-20, under-23, and senior level. Representing Myanmar at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, he scored his debut World Cup goal against New Zealand national under-20 football team. Considered one of the best players in the ASEAN, he is known for his dribbling, Positioning, skill, pace, and Vision.

Early life

He was born in Pindale Village of Meiktila Township, Myanmar. Later he moved to Pyinmana.

Club career

=Early career=

In 2009, at the age of 13, Aung Thu represented Pyinmana in U-19 Division Tournament with 3 goals. He later joined the Myanmar Football Academy in Mandalay and was graduated from the academy.

=Yadanarbon=

In 2013, Yadanarbon F.C signed Aung Thu from Myanmar Football Academy (Mandalay). He showed an impressive talent in Yadanarbon F.C that increased his value to the whole team by achieving a less than anticipated goal count by assisting other teammates in making goals. {{Citation needed|date=June 2019}}

At the 2016 and 2017 MNL Awards Night, he was recognized as the MNL Best Player of the Year.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}}

==Police Tero (loan)==

In November 2017, Aung Thu signed on as a loan for Thailand club Police Tero formally known as BEC Tero Sasana for the 2018 season. He scored goals and assisted others in theirs; he was recognized as the league player of the month.{{cite web|title=Myanmar striker Aung Thu signs with Police Tero in Thailand|url=http://www.espnfc.co.uk/blog/football-asia/153/post/3281170/myanmar-striker-aung-thu-signs-with-police-tero-in-Thailand|first=Paul|last=Murphy|date=23 November 2017|access-date=24 November 2017|publisher=ESPN FC|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201080738/http://www.espnfc.co.uk/blog/football-asia/153/post/3281170/myanmar-striker-aung-thu-signs-with-police-tero-in-Thailand|url-status=live}} His goal during the Thai League Week 11 against Sukhothai FC is considered one of the top 5 goals of the round.{{cite web |title=Thai League Week 11: Top 5 goals of the week – Agree or disagree? |url=http://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/859897/thai-league-week-11-top-5-goals-of-the-week-agree-or-disagree |website=FOX Sports Asia |date=23 April 2018 |access-date=24 April 2018 |archive-date=1 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401003418/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/859897/thai-league-week-11-top-5-goals-of-the-week-agree-or-disagree/ |url-status=dead }}

==Muangthong United (loan)==

Aung Thu joined Muangthong United on loan for the 2019 season with options.{{cite web |title=Super Big Deal - SCG Muangthong United are proud to introduce Aung Thu |website=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/SCGMuangthongUnited/posts/2241087809249318 |language=en |access-date=2 February 2019 |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322154434/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSCGMuangthongUnited%2Fposts%2F2241087809249318 |url-status=live }}

==Buriram United==

In December 2020, Aung Thu signed for Thai League Giant Club Buriram United for US$50,000.{{cite web |title=Yadanabon striker Aung Thu joins Buriram United |date=16 August 2014 |url=https://www.gnlm.com.mm/yadanabon-striker-aung-thu-joins-buriram-united/ |access-date=19 January 2021 |archive-date=6 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206015930/https://www.gnlm.com.mm/yadanabon-striker-aung-thu-joins-buriram-united/ |url-status=live }} On 26 December 2020, he made his debut with Buriram United in 2–0 away win against Chonburi.{{cite web|title= Buriam United 2-0 Choiburi|url= https://www.buriramunited.com/fixture/detail/194|access-date= 19 January 2021|archive-date= 23 April 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210423075723/https://www.buriramunited.com/fixture/detail/194|url-status= live}} In December 2022, Aung Thu cancelled the contract with Buriram United.

==Lamphun Warriors F.C.==

After cancelled the contract with Buriram United.Aung Thu signed for Thai League 1 Club Lamphun Warriors.

== Uthai Thani ==

On 12 July 2023,Aung Thu signed for Thai League 1 Club Uthai Thani.

=Club=

Club team	Year	Apps	Goals
class=wikitable style="text-align: center;" \|+ Appearances and goals by club team and year
rowspan=1\|Lamphun Warriors \|2022–2023	13	1	3
rowspan=1\|Uthai Thani \|2023–2024	16	2	1
colspan=2\|Total	29	3	4

International career

=Youth=

Aung Thu debuted in national U-16 team that took part in 2011 AFF U-16 Youth Championship.

In 2014, his crucial goal against U-19 Vietnam at the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy tournament for ASEAN Youth Football Championship in Brunei and would lead Myanmar to emerge as the champion of 2014 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy. He then became a Myanmar Fans' favorite striker. His performance led Myanmar to the international participation and the U-19 Myanmar National team participation to the FIFA U-20 World Cup, and it was Myanmar's first international football match after its last participation in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany.{{cite web |title=Myanmar v. New Zealand - Match Highlights FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 |website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YSxiiH8lZ4 |date=5 June 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022172542/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YSxiiH8lZ4 |url-status=live }} He was noted for his powerful shots and intelligent runs in FIFA technical study book of 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.{{cite news|title=AFC U-19 Championship results |publisher=AFC |url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/component/afcasfeeds/?fixtureid=8337&stageid=332&tMode=C&view=ajax&show=matchsummary |date=11 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011155727/http://www.the-afc.com/en/component/afcasfeeds/?fixtureid=8337&stageid=332&tMode=C&view=ajax&show=matchsummary |archive-date=11 October 2014 }}

=Senior=

He made his international debut in Myanmar national team on 28 August 2015 against United Arab Emirates national football team in a friendly tournament. His first goal as a Myanmar national team player was scoring against Laos, 3–1 in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification.

International

Debut: Age ( 19 years 03 months 06 days )

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
class=wikitable style=text-align:center \|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
rowspan=6\|Myanmar \|2015	6	1	0
2016	12	3	0
2017	7	4	3
2018	6	1	2
2019	10	1	3
2023	5	1	0
colspan=2\|Total\|\|48\|\|11\|\|8

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%" \|+ Goals by opponent
scope="col" \| Opponent ! scope="col" \| Goals
scope="row" \| {{fb\|CAM}} \| 2
scope="row" \| {{fb\|KGZ}} \| 2
scope="row" \| {{fb\|LAO}} \| 2
scope="row" \| {{fb\|LIB}} \| 1
scope="row" \| {{fb\|SIN}} \| 1
scope="row" \| {{fb\|TJK}} \| 1
scope="row" \| {{fb\|THA}} \| 1
scope="row" \| {{fb\|VIE}} \| 1
Total ! 11

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"

|+ Goals by opponent

scope="col" | Opponent

! scope="col" | Goals

scope="row" | {{fb|CAM}}

| 2

scope="row" | {{fb|KGZ}}

| 2

scope="row" | {{fb|LAO}}

| 2

scope="row" | {{fb|LIB}}

| 1

scope="row" | {{fb|SIN}}

| 1

scope="row" | {{fb|TJK}}

| 1

scope="row" | {{fb|THA}}

| 1

scope="row" | {{fb|VIE}}

| 1

Total

! 11

=International goals=

:Scores and results list Myanmar's goal tally first.{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/60244/Aung_Thu.html|title=Thu, Aung|publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=19 November 2018|archive-date=20 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120095855/https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/60244/Aung_Thu.html|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable" ! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
1.	13 October 2015	Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok	{{fb\|LAO}}	align=center \| 3–1	align=center \| 3–1	rowspan=2 \| 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.	29 March 2016	Saida Municipal Stadium, Sidon	{{fb\|LIB}}	align=center\|1–0	align=center \| 1–1
3.	20 November 2016	rowspan=2 \| Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon	{{fb\|VIE}}	align=center \| 1–1	align=center \| 1–2	rowspan=2 \| 2016 AFF Championship
4.	23 November 2016	{{fb\|CAM}}	align=center \| 3–1	align=center \| 3–1
5.	6 June 2017	Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang	{{fb\|SIN}}	align=center \| 1–0	align=center \| 1–1	Friendly
6.	5 October 2017	Mandalarthiri Stadium, Mandalay	{{fb\|THA}}	align=center \| 1–2	align=center \| 1–3	Friendly
7.	10 October 2017	Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon	{{fb\|KGZ}}	align=center \| 1–2	align=center \| 2–2	2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification
8.	9 November 2017	Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh	{{fb\|CAM}}	align=center \| 2–1	align=center \| 2–1	Friendly
9.	16 November 2018	New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane	{{fb\|LAO}}	align=center \| 1–1	align=center \| 3–1	2018 AFF Championship
10.	14 November 2019	Mandalarthiri Stadium, Mandalay	{{fb\|TJK}}	align=center \| 3–1	align=center \| 4–3	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
11.	25 March 2023	Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal	{{fb\|KGZ}}	align=center \| 1–1	align=center \| 1–1	Friendly

Honours

National Team

Tri-Nation Series (India)

:* File:Med 2.png Runners-up (1):2023

{{goal|}} Top Soccer (1):2023

=Club=

;Yadanarbon

Myanmar National League: 2016

;Buriram United

=Individual=

AFF Youth Player of the Year: 2015
Myanmar Player of the Year: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Myanmar National League Player of the Year: 2015, 2016, 2017
Thai League Dream ASEAN XI{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CvWrALUN-1a/?ig_rid=f9945921-f106-404d-838a-a86905ebc18d&ig_mid=726101B7-9C23-49E1-B79F-DD16DA416CE7 | title=Instagram }}

=International=

Myanmar U20

Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy: 2014

Person life

Aung Thu married Burmese actress Poe Ei Ei Khant on 31 May 2018;{{cite web|url=https://www.duwun.com.mm/entertainment/local-celebrity/eaaune-lkpatalekaapiiiute-piuaiain-id12346|title=အောင်သူနဲ့ လက်ထပ်ထားတာ(၉)လကျော်သွားပြီဆိုတဲ့ ပိုးအိအိခန့်|publisher=Duwun|language=my|date=6 March 2019|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-date=15 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615030748/https://www.duwun.com.mm/entertainment/local-celebrity/eaaune-lkpatalekaapiiiute-piuaiain-id12346|url-status=live}} the wedding ceremony was held on 26 March 2019 at the Western Park.{{cite news |title=အောင်သူနဲ့ Game ကစားရင်း ဖူးစာဆုံခဲ့တာပါ ဆိုတဲ့ ပိုးအိအိခန့် |url=https://www.duwun.com.mm/entertainment/cele-yatkwat/eaaune-game-ksa-usauetapa-uite-puiaiain-id13123 |work=Duwun |date=26 March 2019 |language=my |access-date=28 March 2019 |archive-date=16 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616131656/https://www.duwun.com.mm/entertainment/cele-yatkwat/eaaune-game-ksa-usauetapa-uite-puiaiain-id13123 |url-status=live }} They gave birth to their first son Thwin Oo Han on 19 July 2019.{{cite news|title=ပထမဆုံး ရင်သွေး သားဦးလေး ပိုင်ဆိုင်ခဲ့ပြီဖြစ်တဲ့ အောင်သူနဲ့ ပိုးအိအိခန့်|url=https://ygn-news.com/archives/366|work=Yangon News|language=my|date=20 July 2019|access-date=6 December 2019|archive-date=6 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206141430/https://ygn-news.com/archives/366|url-status=dead}}