Socceroos star Thomas Deng has been candid about moving to Australia as a refugee from South Sudan, the racism he sometimes struggles with – and the pride he wears in green and gold.
The 26-year-old defender’s family fled war-torn South Sudan in the 1990s, spent years in a refugee camp in Nairobi, before finally settling in Adelaide.
Deng’s love of football and the fact that he spoke English made his transition to the new way of life in Australia much easier than for some others.
Socceroos star Thomas Deng (pictured) has been candid about his move to Australia as a refugee from South Sudan, the racism he sometimes struggles with – and the pride he wears in green and gold
The 26-year-old defender’s family fled war-torn South Sudan in the 1990s, spent years in a refugee camp in Nairobi, before finally settling in Adelaide.
“My older brother Peter also plays soccer, so that made it a lot easier to make friends at school,” says Deng. ABC.
‘The great thing was that you don’t need language in football. You can make friends just by playing, so that made the transition a lot easier for us and also for the whole family that came over.”
Deng’s talent and obsession with football saw him climb through the junior ranks at Adelaide Blue Eagles, eventually playing for Melbourne Victory in 2015.
It was while living in Melbourne that Deng noticed that he was treated differently because of the way he looked.
Deng (pictured playing against New Zealand) says he would be followed by security guards while shopping in Melbourne
‘There were times I played for’ [Melbourne] Victory on the weekend, I’d be walking through the shops and guards will look at me strangely or follow me, thinking I’m going to steal something,” he said.
Deng has tried to keep in touch with his African heritage by learning Swahili and visiting family at home, but he has only seen himself as an Australian.
While it is a powerful feeling for Deng to grow up as a South Sudanese Aussie, he admits that he also feels a sense of responsibility.
“There are certainly high expectations of us and there is no room for error. Sometimes you feel like you have to do more than [others] to be seen and appreciated,” he said.
“It’s a bit difficult to deal with. But we always think about what that’s done for the younger generations: it’s basically opened doors for other kids like us who have a dream, just like we did when we were that age.
Deng looks back on the moment in 2018 when he ran onto the pitch in a Socceroos shirt as an incredible experience. What made it even better was that he played Awer Mabil alongside his friend – and South Sudanese Australian.
Australia’s Thomas Deng and Awer Mabil warm up for the Socceroos vs. New Zealand game. Deng says he is proud to open doors for people like him who have a dream
Deng (pictured in Japan, where he plays professionally) captained the Olyroos in the Olympics, winning Player of the Match in their famous win over Agrentina. An impressive performance against New Zealand in September has sparked calls for his inclusion in Graham Arnold’s 26-player squad on his way to Qatar
“At the time, Awer and I were thinking about the impact that would have on our families and our communities – not just in Adelaide or Melbourne, but across Australia.
“Awer scored too, which made it all the more special. You can see the party that we did together, that was our traditional dance that we did. It was great to do that on national TV.”
In 2021, Deng captained the Olyroos at the Olympics and won Player of the Match in their famous win over Agrentina. An impressive performance against New Zealand in September has led to calls for his inclusion in Graham Arnold’s 26-man roster going to Qatar.
The upcoming World Cup offers Deng (pictured) another chance to show his quality, but also to represent the world who Australia is and what it means to wear green and gold
The upcoming World Cup offers Deng another chance to show his quality, but also to represent to the world who Australia is and what it means to wear green and gold.
“Australia is slowly changing… they’re starting to accept people from different backgrounds,” he said.
“It’s no longer about the color of your skin, it’s about who you are, what you represent and how hard you work for your dream.”