Introduction
From playing as a young striker in England to winning a European trophy with Tottenham, Kevin Danso’s football journey has taken him through several major leagues. Now at Sunderland, he has another chapter ahead.
Kevin Danso is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Sunderland AFC, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. Born on 19 September 1998 in Voitsberg, Austria, he is 28 years old as of October 2026.
He has Ghanaian family roots. But his football story began in Austria, grew in England, and took shape in Germany and France.
He has come a long way.
From Reading’s youth academy to the Premier League, his career includes Champions League football, international tournaments with Austria, and a UEFA Europa League trophy with Tottenham.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kevin Danso |
| Date of Birth | 19 September 1998 |
| Age | 28 years (2026) |
| Birthplace | Voitsberg, Austria |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Family Background | Ghanaian heritage |
| Profession | Professional footballer |
| Playing Position | Centre-back |
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Current Club | Sunderland AFC (loan) |
| Parent Club | Tottenham Hotspur |
| National Team | Austria |
| International Debut | September 2017 |
| Major Trophy | UEFA Europa League (2024–25) |
Early Life and Family Background
His story started in Voitsberg.
Born in the Austrian state of Styria, the future defender grew up in a family with Ghanaian roots. His parents were originally from Ghana, though he was born in Austria.
Life changed quite early.
When he was six years old, his family moved to Milton Keynes, England. That move gave him access to the English youth football system.
Football soon became a big part of his childhood.
He joined Reading’s academy at a young age and started playing with the under-nine team.
Interestingly, he wasn’t always a defender.
He originally played as a striker. He spent around five years at Reading before continuing his development at Milton Keynes Dons.
At MK Dons, he came through the academy during a period that also included future England international Dele Alli.
That early experience helped him learn the game from different positions.
Who Are His Parents?
His parents are Ghanaian.
Their move to England helped shape his childhood and early football career.
However, their names and occupations have not been reliably confirmed in official public biographies.
There is also limited verified information about his siblings.
For now, his family background is best understood through his Austrian birthplace, Ghanaian roots, and childhood years in England.
Education and Football Training
His football education started young.
At Reading, he learned the basic skills required to develop as a professional player. His time at Milton Keynes Dons helped him progress before moving to Germany.
In 2014, he joined FC Augsburg’s youth system.
That decision changed his career.
He entered a demanding football environment where technical training, match discipline, and regular development were part of everyday life.
Public sources do not establish his formal academic qualifications or the names of the schools he attended.
His documented education history is mainly connected to football academies.
Starting His Professional Career in Germany
Germany gave him his breakthrough.
After joining FC Augsburg’s youth setup, he worked his way toward the senior team.
In March 2017, he made his Bundesliga debut against RB Leipzig.
He was just 18.
That appearance made him the youngest player to represent Augsburg in a Bundesliga match at the time.
It was a big moment.
Playing senior football in Germany required stronger defending and quicker decisions. He had to compete against experienced attackers while learning how to handle pressure.
During his senior spell at Augsburg, he made 44 competitive appearances and scored three goals.
But his career didn’t stay in Germany.
England was calling again.
His First Premier League Experience
In August 2019, Southampton signed him on a season-long loan.
It was his first chance to compete in the Premier League.
He already knew England from childhood, but playing professional football there was a different challenge.
The competition was tough.
He made 10 appearances in all competitions during the 2019–20 season.
Regular playing time was limited. Still, the experience gave him a closer look at the demands of Premier League football.
He returned to Augsburg after the loan ended.
His next move took him back into German football.
A Loan Move to Fortuna Düsseldorf
During the 2020–21 campaign, he played for Fortuna Düsseldorf on loan.
The move gave him more opportunities.
He appeared in 33 competitive matches and scored two goals.
Those games helped him gain valuable experience at senior level.
He was still developing.
He needed regular minutes, and Düsseldorf provided another chance to build confidence before the next stage of his career.
Then came France.
That was where his reputation grew.
Building His Reputation at RC Lens
In August 2021, he signed for French club RC Lens.
This became one of the most important periods of his professional career.
Lens gave him consistent football.
Under manager Franck Haise, he became part of a three-man defensive system and established himself as a regular starter.
His physical strength suited the role.
He could challenge attackers in the air, defend inside the penalty area, and move the ball forward from defence.
The team started producing strong results.
During the 2022–23 Ligue 1 season, Lens finished second in the league, only one point behind Paris Saint-Germain.
That was a remarkable campaign.
He played 37 league matches and earned a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.
His performances attracted attention beyond France.
Lens also qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
During the 2023–24 competition, he played against major European opponents, including Arsenal.
One memorable result came in October 2023, when Lens beat Arsenal 2–1.
He played the full match.
By the time he left the French club, he had made 128 competitive appearances and scored four goals, according to Tottenham’s official career records.
His years in France helped establish him as an experienced European defender.
Moving to Tottenham Hotspur
His next opportunity came in February 2025.
Tottenham Hotspur signed him from RC Lens on an initial loan agreement.
The deal included an obligation to complete a permanent transfer in the summer.
He was assigned the number four shirt.
For him, it meant another return to English football.
But this time, he arrived with years of experience from Germany, France, and international football.
Tottenham needed defensive options.
His strength, experience, and ability to carry the ball from the back offered the team another choice.
During the second half of the 2024–25 season, he made 15 appearances for Spurs.
The season ended with a special achievement.
Winning the UEFA Europa League
May 2025 brought a career highlight.
Tottenham defeated Manchester United 1–0 in the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao, Spain.
Brennan Johnson scored the winning goal.
Danso came on as a substitute in the 78th minute and helped Tottenham see out the victory.
It was a historic result for the club.
For the Austrian defender, winning a major European trophy was a major achievement.
Think about his journey.
He started as a young striker in Reading’s academy. Years later, he was celebrating a European title with a Premier League club.
During the following 2025–26 season, he continued representing Tottenham.
Before leaving on loan, he had made 52 competitive appearances and scored once for Spurs.
His Sunderland Transfer in 2026
His career took another turn.
On 1 September 2026, Tottenham officially announced that he had joined Sunderland AFC on loan for the rest of the 2026–27 season.
The agreement also includes an obligation to complete a permanent transfer in summer 2027, depending on performance-related conditions.
That detail matters.
It means his long-term move has not yet been confirmed as unconditional.
For now, Sunderland is his playing club, while Tottenham remains his parent club.
The move keeps him in Premier League football and gives him another opportunity to compete for regular matches.
As of 12 October 2026, he is part of Sunderland’s first-team setup.
His International Career With Austria
His international career began early.
Although his family is from Ghana, he has represented Austria throughout his international football journey.
He played for Austrian youth teams before reaching the senior squad.
His senior debut came in September 2017.
He was only 18.
Austria selected him for UEFA Euro 2024, held in Germany.
The tournament gave him another chance to play against leading international teams.
He also represented Austria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making four appearances during the tournament.
By September 2026, Tottenham reported that he had earned 36 senior international caps.
His experience now includes major domestic leagues, European club competitions, and international football.
Playing Style and Defensive Strengths
He is a natural centre-back.
Standing at 1.90 metres, he has the height needed to compete during aerial challenges.
He is also comfortable using his physical strength against attackers.
One of his main strengths is positioning.
He works to close spaces and challenge forwards before they reach dangerous areas.
His time at Lens helped him develop in a three-man defence.
That system required him to handle wide spaces, cover teammates, and move the ball out from the back.
Tottenham’s official profile has also highlighted his ability to carry the ball forward.
He is not known primarily for scoring goals.
His main job is stopping them.
He can defend crosses, compete for headers, and support the team’s defensive structure.
Those qualities have helped him play across several European leagues.
Career Statistics
His official club records show experience across Germany, England, and France.
| Club | Recorded Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| FC Augsburg | 44 | 3 |
| Southampton | 10 | 0 |
| Fortuna Düsseldorf | 33 | 2 |
| RC Lens | 128 | 4 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 52 | 1 |
Note: These are historical competitive appearance figures reported in Tottenham’s official career announcements. They should not be treated as a complete, updated league-only career total. His Sunderland season is still ongoing.
Major Career Achievements
Several moments stand out.
Bundesliga breakthrough: In March 2017, he became Augsburg’s youngest Bundesliga debutant at the time.
French league success: He helped RC Lens finish second in Ligue 1 during the 2022–23 season.
Individual recognition: He earned a place in the 2022–23 Ligue 1 Team of the Year.
Champions League football: He represented Lens during the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League.
International tournaments: He represented Austria at Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.
European trophy: He won the UEFA Europa League with Tottenham in May 2025.
Each achievement came during a different stage of his playing career.
Personal Life and Relationships
He has kept much of his personal life away from public attention.
His professional career is well documented, but reliable information about his romantic relationships is limited.
There is no sufficient public confirmation of his current wife, girlfriend, or marital status.
The same applies to whether he has children.
Rather than making guesses, it is better to focus on details he and his clubs have made public.
Most of his verified public profile concerns football, training, matches, and career achievements.
Salary and Net Worth
Professional footballers often earn income from club contracts and commercial agreements.
However, individual earnings are not always publicly disclosed.
His reported permanent transfer from Lens to Tottenham was worth approximately £21 million in 2025, according to BBC Sport.
That figure represents a transfer fee, not personal income.
His exact Sunderland salary, full contract earnings, and net worth have not been independently verified through reliable public financial records.
Any specific net worth figure without evidence should be treated with caution.
His Career in 2026
Right now, he is playing for Sunderland in the Premier League.
He remains an Austria international.
His career has already included football in four major European countries.
He has experienced different playing systems, managers, and competitions.
At 28, he has several years of senior football experience behind him.
His immediate focus is the 2026–27 season with Sunderland.
A permanent transfer may follow in 2027 if the conditions in his loan agreement are met.
For now, his football story continues in England.
Final Thought
Kevin Danso has taken an unusual route through professional football.
Born in Austria, raised partly in England, and developed through German and French football, he has worked his way into the Premier League and the Austrian national team.
It wasn’t a straight path.
There were academy years, loan moves, difficult competition for places, and changes of club.
Then came big moments.
He helped Lens reach the Champions League and later won a European trophy with Tottenham.
His Sunderland move offers another chance to build on that experience.
And at 28, his career is still being written.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old is Kevin Danso?
He is 28 years old as of October 2026. He was born on 19 September 1998.
2. Where was he born?
He was born in Voitsberg, Austria.
3. Is he Ghanaian or Austrian?
He is Austrian and has Ghanaian family roots. His parents are from Ghana.
4. Which club does he play for?
He plays for Sunderland AFC on loan from Tottenham Hotspur during the 2026–27 season.
5. How tall is he?
He stands approximately 1.90 metres tall, or 6 feet 3 inches.
6. Has he won any major trophies?
Yes. He won the UEFA Europa League with Tottenham Hotspur in May 2025.
7. Is he married?
His current marital status has not been reliably confirmed in public sources.
8. What is his net worth?
There is no sufficiently verified public figure for his personal net worth.
