Peter Kioso

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Peter Kioso

|image =

|image_size =

|caption =

|fullname =

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|8|15|df=y}}

|birth_place = Swords, Dublin, Ireland

|height = 1.83m

|position = Wing-back

|currentclub = Oxford United

|clubnumber = 30

|youthyears1 = 2013–2017

|youthclubs1 = Milton Keynes Dons

|years1 = 2017–2018

|clubs1 = Dunstable Town

|caps1 =

|goals1 =

|years2 = 2018–2020

|clubs2 = Hartlepool United

|caps2 = 67

|goals2 = 4

|years3 = 2020–2022

|clubs3 = Luton Town

|caps3 = 17

|goals3 = 0

|years4 = 2020–2021

|clubs4 = → Bolton Wanderers (loan)

|caps4 = 13

|goals4 = 3

|years5 = 2021

|clubs5 = → Northampton Town (loan)

|caps5 = 20

|goals5 = 3

|years6 = 2021–2022

|clubs6 = → Milton Keynes Dons (loan)

|caps6 = 18

|goals6 = 4

|years7 = 2022–2024

|clubs7 = Rotherham United

|caps7 = 23

|goals7 = 0

|years8 = 2023–2024

|clubs8 = → Peterborough United (loan)

|caps8 = 24

|goals8 = 1

|years9 = 2024–

|clubs9 = Oxford United

|caps9 = 30

|goals9 = 0

|nationalyears1 = 2024–

|nationalteam1 = DR Congo

|nationalcaps1 = 1

|nationalgoals1 = 0

|club-update = 21:12, 22 April 2025 (UTC)

|ntupdate = 21:35, 20 November 2024 (UTC)

}}

Peter Kioso (born 15 August 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a wing-back for {{English football updater|OxfordUn}} club Oxford United. Born in Ireland, he represents DR Congo internationally.

Early life

Kioso was born in Swords, Dublin.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lutontown.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/peter-kioso/|title=Peter Kioso – Defender – First Team & Staff – Luton Town|website=www.lutontown.co.uk}} He and his family later moved to Milton Keynes, England in 2010.

Club career

=Early career=

Kioso joined the academy of Milton Keynes Dons at the age of 14 and progressed to the club's under-18 side before being released in 2017.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mkdons.com/news/2021/august/peter-kioso-returns-to-mk-dons-on-deadline-day/ |title=Peter Kioso returns to MK Dons on Deadline Day |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons |date=31 August 2021 |access-date=31 August 2021 }} He had a brief spell with non-League Dunstable Town{{Cite web|url=https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/kioso-happy-have-done-it-hard-way-after-earning-luton-move-1379718|title=Kioso happy to have done it the hard way after earning Luton move|website=www.lutontoday.co.uk}} before joining National League club Hartlepool United{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51206883|title=Peter Kioso: Luton Town sign Hartlepool United defender for undisclosed fee|date=22 January 2020|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} where he remained for two seasons, making 70 appearances and scoring 4 goals. Kioso was named in Hartlepool's team of the decade for the 2010s.{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2019/december/pools-team-of-the-decade/ |title=Pools Team Of The Decade |publisher=Hartlepool United |date=30 December 2019 |access-date=29 July 2023}}

=Luton Town=

On 22 January 2020, Kioso joined Championship club Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web |url=https://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2020/january/peter-kioso/ |title=Peter Kioso joins The Hatters! |publisher=Luton Town |date=22 January 2020 |access-date=31 August 2021 }} Luton manager Graeme Jones said Kioso was "one for the future",{{Cite web|url=https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/luton-boss-believes-new-signing-kioso-one-future-1377385|title=Luton boss believes new signing Kioso is 'one for the future'|website=www.lutontoday.co.uk}} and in March 2020 said he had been "impressed" by Kioso in training, and would consider giving him his debut.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/jones-could-opt-give-kioso-his-luton-debut-wigan-2085414|title=Jones could opt to give Kioso his Luton debut at Wigan|website=www.lutontoday.co.uk}} He made his Football League debut for Luton on 18 July 2020.

On 15 October 2020 he moved on loan to League Two club Bolton Wanderers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54560707|title=Bolton sign Luton defender Kioso|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} He made his debut two days later in a 2–1 home defeat against Oldham Athletic. Two days after that he scored Bolton's first goal in a 3–3 draw against Barrow. On 11 January 2021 Luton recalled Kioso from his loan after an injury to James Bree.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/19001675.luton-town-stun-bolton-wanderers-surprise-peter-kioso-loan-recall/|title=Luton Town U-turn on Peter Kioso leaves Bolton Wanderers searching for answers|website=The Bolton News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55619668|title=Luton fitness issues prompt Kioso recall|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/peter-kioso-bolton-luton-northampton-20934995|title=Kioso on Bolton loan spell and pinpoints best thing about Wanderers stint|first=John|last=McDougall|date=30 June 2021|website=Manchester Evening News}}

On 25 January 2021, Kioso joined League One side Northampton Town on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55803752 |title=Peter Kioso: Northampton Town sign Luton Town defender on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 January 2021 |accessdate=25 January 2021}} Kioso had already played for Luton and Bolton in the 2020–21 season, usually meaning he would not be able to sign for a third team as players can only play for two teams in one season – however FIFA changed the rules for that season to allow players to play for three teams, to alleviate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on football.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/4110267/coronavirus-fifa-allows-players-on-three-clubs-in-a-season|title=FIFA tweaks transfer rules, OKs longer windows|date=11 June 2020|website=ESPN.com}}

He returned to his academy club Milton Keynes Dons on loan on 31 August 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58400921|title=Luton's Kioso joins MK Dons on loan|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/football/mk-dons/transfer-deadline-day-who-is-dons-latest-signing-peter-kioso-3366276|title=Transfer deadline day: Who is Dons’ latest signing Peter Kioso?|website=www.miltonkeynes.co.uk}} Kioso scored his first goal since his return to the club on 18 September 2021 in a 4–1 away win over Gillingham.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58525190 |title=Gillingham 1–4 Milton Keynes Dons |publisher=BBC |date=18 September 2021 |access-date=19 September 2021 }} On 18 January 2022, Kioso was recalled to Luton from his loan.{{cite web|url=https://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2022/january/kioso/|title=Peter Kioso returns to Kenilworth Road|website=www.lutontown.co.uk|date=18 January 2022|accessdate=18 January 2022}}

=Rotherham United=

On 23 June 2022, it was announced that Kioso had signed for Championship club Rotherham United on a permanent basis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2022/june/signing--millers-complete-signing-of-luton-town-wing-back/|title=SIGNING | Millers land Luton Town wing-back|website=www.themillers.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/peter-kioso-signs-for-rotherham-united-after-moving-from-championship-rivals-luton-town-3743603|title=Rotherham United make transfer breakthrough and bring in Luton Town defender|website=www.yorkshirepost.co.uk}}

On 18 July 2023, Kioso signed for League One club Peterborough United on a season-long loan deal. {{cite web|url=https://www.theposh.com/news/posh-secure-loan-signing-defender|title=Posh Secure Loan Signing Of Defender|website=www.theposh.com|date=18 July 2023|accessdate=18 July 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66236360|title=Peterborough sign Rotherham defender Kioso on loan|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} In September 2023, he was named club captain by manager Darren Ferguson, scoring his first goal for the club in his first match with the armband. {{cite web|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/peterborough-united/every-player-would-agree-with-choice-of-new-peterborough-united-captain-insists-darren-ferguson-4341916|title=Every player would agree with choice of new Peterborough United captain, insists Darren Ferguson|publisher=Peterborough Today|last1=Jones|first1=Ben|date=19 September 2023|accessdate=2 January 2024}} Having continued to impress, he was recalled by Rotherham on 2 January 2024. {{cite web|url=https://www.theposh.com/news/kioso-recalled-parent-club|title=Kioso Recalled By Parent Club|website=www.theposh.com|date=2 January 2024|accessdate=2 January 2023}}

=Oxford United=

Kioso joined Oxford United for an undisclosed fee on 24 June 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2024/june/peter-kioso-joins-oxford-united/|title=Peter Kioso joins Oxford United|date=22 June 2024|accessdate=24 June 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cqeeej2g256o|title=Peter Kioso joins Oxford United from Rotherham United|date=24 June 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

International career

On 4 October 2024, Kioso received his first international call-up for the DR Congo for two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania.{{cite news |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/24631025.peter-kioso-gets-first-dr-congo-call-up-axel-tuanzebe-injury/ |title=Peter Kioso gets first DR Congo call-up after Axel Tuanzebe injury |first=Liam |last=Rice |website=Oxford Mail |date=4 October 2024 |access-date=5 October 2024}} He made his debut on 19 November 2024 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia at the Stade des Martyrs. He started the game and was substituted at half-time, as Ethiopia won 2–1.{{cite web|publisher=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/722128|title=DR Congo v Ethiopia game report|date=19 November 2024}}

Personal life

Kioso's parents are from DR Congo. His brother Gedeon is also a footballer; the two played together at Dunstable Town, with Peter at right back and his brother at left back.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dunstabletoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/kevin-gallen-kioso-has-right-attitude-be-success-luton-town-1379750|title=Kevin Gallen: Kioso has the right attitude to be a success at Luton Town|website=www.dunstabletoday.co.uk}} His cousin Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu is also a footballer; the two played together at Luton Town.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dunstabletoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/kioso-confident-he-can-handle-pressure-playing-luton-1393496|title=Kioso confident he can handle the pressure of playing for Luton|website=www.dunstabletoday.co.uk}}

Career statistics

rowspan=2\|Club !rowspan=2\|Season !colspan=3\|League !colspan=2\|FA Cup !colspan=2\|League Cup !colspan=2\|Other !colspan=2\|Total
class=wikitable style=text-align:center \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan=3\|Hartlepool United \|2018–19{{soccerway\|peter-kioso/559093\|accessdate=25 January 2021}} \|National League \|39	1	1	0	0	0	1{{efn\|name=FAT\|Appearance in FA Trophy}}	0	41	1
2019–20 \|National League \|28	3	3	0	0	0	1{{efn\|name=FAT}}	0	32	3
colspan=2\|Total !67	4	4	0	0	0	2	0	73	4
rowspan=4\|Luton Town \|2019–20{{soccerbase season\|114193\|2019\|accessdate=25 January 2021}} \|Championship \|1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
2020–21{{soccerbase season\|114193\|2020\|accessdate=25 January 2021}} \|Championship \|0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	0
2021–22{{soccerbase season\|114193\|2021\|accessdate=10 August 2021}} \|Championship \|16	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	19	0
colspan=2\|Total !17	0	2	0	3	0	0	0	22	0
Bolton Wanderers (loan) \|2020–21 \|League Two \|13	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	14	3
Northampton Town (loan) \|2020–21 \|League One \|20	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	20	3
Milton Keynes Dons (loan) \|2021–22 \|League One \|18	4	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	1{{efn\|name=EFLT\|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}}	0	19	4
rowspan=3\|Rotherham United \|2022–23{{soccerbase season\|114193\|2022\|access-date=29 July 2023}} \|Championship \|11	0	1	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	13	0
2023–24{{soccerbase season\|114193\|2023\|access-date=4 February 2024}} \|Championship \|12	0	0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	12	0
colspan=2\|Total !23	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	25	0
Peterborough United (loan) \|2023–24 \|League One \|24	1	1	0	2	0	0	0	27	1
Oxford United \|2024–25{{soccerbase season\|114193\|2024\|access-date=4 October 2024}} \|Championship \|30	0	1	0	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	33	0
colspan=3\|Career total !211	15	10	0	8	0	3	0	232	15

Honours

Bolton Wanderers

EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2020–21{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/may/08/league-two-bolton-and-cambridge-earn-promotion-cheltenham-take-title|title=League Two: Bolton and Cambridge earn promotion, Cheltenham take title|first=P. A.|last=Media|date=8 May 2021|website=the Guardian}}