# Kembo Kibato

Kembo Kibato (born September 16, 2000) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for Canadian Premier League side York United FC.

## Early life

Kibato played youth soccer with the North Toronto Nitros.
In 2017, he played with Team Ontario at the 2017 Canada Summer Games, helping them win the gold medal.
In 2017, Kibato joined the Toronto FC Academy.

## Club career

In 2016, Kibato debuted with the North Toronto Nitros senior team in League1 Ontario, making two substitute appearances. The following season, he joined the senior squad full-time, scoring 4 goals in 19 appearances, and was named a league third-team all-star. In 2018, he played with Toronto FC III.
In 2019, he attended training camp with Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League, but did not ultimately sign with the club.
On July 18, 2019, Kibato signed with Danish 2nd Division side FC Helsingør. Kibato left on January 14, 2020 without making an official first team appearance, having only played in friendlies.
On March 7, 2020, Kibato joined USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC. He made his debut for RGVFC on July 11, 2020, appearing as an 83rd-minute substitute during a 1–0 loss to El Paso Locomotive. He scored his first professional goal on August 8 against Austin Bold FC. In October, he was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week after recording two assists in a 4-2 victory against OKC Energy FC in the season finale.
On April 9, 2021, Kibato moved on a season-long loan to USL Championship side FC Tulsa. At the end of the season, he was named the team's Newcomer of the Year. On December 29, Tulsa announced they had signed Kibato to a permanent deal ahead of the 2022 season. Following the 2022 season, Kibato’s contract ended.
On December 12, 2022, Kibato was announced as a new signing for USL Championship side Hartford Athletic ahead of their 2023 season.
On February 29, 2024, Vancouver FC announced the signing of the Canadian midfielder on a two-year contract, ahead of the 2024 Canadian Premier League season.
In September 2024, Kibato was transferred to York United FC, signing a contract through 2025, in a player swap deal with Austin Ricci moving to Vancouver. He made his debut against Forge FC, playing as a left-back during an injury crisis for York, before eventually returning to his customary midfield role later in the season.

## Career statistics

    As of match played October 27, 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Playoffs | Playoffs | Domestic Cup | Domestic Cup | Continental | Continental | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| North Toronto Nitros | 2016 | League1 Ontario | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 |
| North Toronto Nitros | 2017 | League1 Ontario | 19 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 4 |
| North Toronto Nitros | Total | Total | 21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 4 |
| Toronto FC III | 2018 | League1 Ontario | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 0 |
| FC Helsingør | 2019–20 | Danish 2nd Division | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Rio Grande Valley FC | 2020 | USL Championship | 12 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 1 |
| FC Tulsa (loan) | 2021 | USL Championship | 29 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 30 | 2 |
| FC Tulsa | 2022 | USL Championship | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 0 |
| FC Tulsa | Total | Total | 57 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 2 |
| Hartford Athletic | 2023 | USL Championship | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 0 |
| Vancouver FC | 2024 | Canadian Premier League | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 0 |
| York United FC | 2024 | Canadian Premier League | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 127 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 133 | 7 |