# Aung Thu (footballer)

Aung Thu (Burmese: 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.
At the 2016 and 2017 MNL Awards Night, he was recognized as the MNL Best Player of the Year.

#### 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. His goal during the Thai League Week 11 against Sukhothai FC is considered one of the top 5 goals of the round.

#### Muangthong United (loan)

Aung Thu joined Muangthong United on loan for the 2019 season with options.

#### Buriram United

In December 2020, Aung Thu signed for Thai League Giant Club Buriram United for US$50,000. On 26 December 2020, he made his debut with Buriram United in 2–0 away win against Chonburi. 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

Appearances and goals by club team and year :
| Club team | Year | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Lamphun Warriors | 2022–2023 | 13 | 1 | 3 |
| Uthai Thani | 2023–2024 | 16 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 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. He was noted for his powerful shots and intelligent runs in FIFA technical study book of 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

### 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

    As of match played 21 November 2023
Age ( 19 years 03 months 06 days )
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Myanmar | 2015 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Myanmar | 2016 | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| Myanmar | 2017 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Myanmar | 2018 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| Myanmar | 2019 | 10 | 1 | 3 |
| Myanmar | 2023 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 48 | 11 | 8 |
Goals by opponent :
| Opponent | Goals |
| Cambodia | 2 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 2 |
| Laos | 2 |
| Lebanon | 1 |
| Singapore | 1 |
| Tajikistan | 1 |
| Thailand | 1 |
| Vietnam | 1 |
| Total | 11 |

### International goals

    Scores and results list Myanmar's goal tally first.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 13 October 2015 | Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok | Laos | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2. | 29 March 2016 | Saida Municipal Stadium, Sidon | Lebanon | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3. | 20 November 2016 | Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon | Vietnam | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2016 AFF Championship |
| 4. | 23 November 2016 | Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon | Cambodia | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2016 AFF Championship |
| 5. | 6 June 2017 | Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang | Singapore | 1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 6. | 5 October 2017 | Mandalarthiri Stadium, Mandalay | Thailand | 1–2 | 1–3 | Friendly |
| 7. | 10 October 2017 | Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon | Kyrgyzstan | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 8. | 9 November 2017 | Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh | Cambodia | 2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 9. | 16 November 2018 | New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane | Laos | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2018 AFF Championship |
| 10. | 14 November 2019 | Mandalarthiri Stadium, Mandalay | Tajikistan | 3–1 | 4–3 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 11. | 25 March 2023 | Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal | Kyrgyzstan | 1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly |

## Honours

National Team
* Tri-Nation Series (India)
   * Runners-up (1):2023
* Top Soccer (1):2023

### Club
#### Yadanarbon

* Myanmar National League: 2016

#### Buriram United

* Thai League 1: 2021–22
* Thai FA Cup: 2021–22
* Thai League Cup: 2021–22

### 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

### International

Myanmar U20
* Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy: 2014

## Person life

Aung Thu married Burmese actress Poe Ei Ei Khant on 31 May 2018; the wedding ceremony was held on 26 March 2019 at the Western Park. They gave birth to their first son Thwin Oo Han on 19 July 2019.