Laryea Kingston (born 7 November 1980) is a Ghanaian former professional
footballer
A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby le ...
. He played either as an
attacking midfielder
A midfielder is an Glossary of association football terms#O, outfield position in association football.
Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. As #Cent ...
or as a
right winger
A midfielder is an outfield position in association football.
Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. As central midfielders often go across boundarie ...
. He was appointed as the Assistant Coach of the Ghana Under 17 National Team on 12th December,2022.
Club career
Early career
Born in
Accra
Accra (; tw, Nkran; dag, Ankara; gaa, Ga or ''Gaga'') is the capital and largest city of Ghana, located on the southern coast at the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2021 census, the Accra Metropolitan District, , ...
, Kingston started his career with local side
Great Olympics
Accra Great Olympics is a Ghanaian professional football club based in Accra, Greater Accra. The club is currently competing in the Ghana Premier League. It has won the Ghana Premier League twice, in 1970, 1974 and the Ghana FA Cup thrice, in 197 ...
, whom he joined aged 16, before moving to
Libya
Libya (; ar, ليبيا, Lībiyā), officially the State of Libya ( ar, دولة ليبيا, Dawlat Lībiyā), is a country in the Maghreb region in North Africa. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to Egypt–Libya bo ...
n side
Al-Ittihad Tripoli
Al-Ittihad Sport, Cultural & Social Club ( ar, نادي الاتحاد الرياضي الثقافي الاجتماعي) famously known as Al-Ittihad Tripoli, or simply Al-Ittihad, is a Libyan football (soccer), football club based in Bab Ben Ga ...
in 2000, on a loan deal. However, after only four months of this arrangement he returned to Accra, unhappy at his treatment in
Tripoli
Tripoli or Tripolis may refer to:
Cities and other geographic units Greece
*Tripoli, Greece, the capital of Arcadia, Greece
* Tripolis (region of Arcadia), a district in ancient Arcadia, Greece
* Tripolis (Larisaia), an ancient Greek city in ...
, joining one of Ghana's traditional "Big Two",
Hearts of Oak
Hearts most commonly refers to:
* Hearts (card game), a trick-taking game
* Hearts (suit), one of the standard four suits of cards
* Heart, an organ
Hearts may also refer to:
Music
* The Hearts, an American girl group closely related to the Jay ...
, in 2001. Two years later he moved to Israel, initially with
Maccabi Ahi Nazareth
Maccabi Akhi Nazareth Football Club ( he, מכבי אחי נצרת, ''Mo'adon Kaduregel Maccabi Aḥi Natzrat''; ar, نادي كرة القدم اخاء الناصرة, ''Nade Korat Alqadam Maccabi Ekhaa Al-Nasera'') is an Israeli association f ...
. After two
Toto Cup
The Israel Toto Cup ( he, גביע הטוטו, ''Gvia Ha'Toto'') is an association football tournament that features clubs in the two highest divisions in Israel: the Israeli Premier League ( Ligat Ha'Al), and the second division Liga Leumit.
Fro ...
matches, Maccabi decided not to retain him and he was signed by
Hapoel Tel Aviv
Hapoel Tel Aviv ( he, הפועל תל אביב) is a sports club in Israel, founded in the 1920s, and part of the Hapoel association. It runs several sports clubs and teams in Tel Aviv which have competed in a variety of sports over the years, suc ...
, where he played until 2004.
Move to Russia
Russia was Kingston's next destination, where he joined
Krylia Sovetov Samara
PFC Krylia Sovetov Samara (russian: Профессиональный футбольный клуб «Крылья Советов» Самара) is a football club from Russia based in Samara. It returned to the Russian Premier League for the 20 ...
, helping them to third place in the
Russian Premier League
The Russian Premier League (RPL; russian: Российская премьер-лига; РПЛ), also written as Russian Premier Liga, is the top division professional association football league in Russia. It was established at the end of 2001 ...
in his
first season. Krylia Sovetov also reached the
Cup final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the FA Cup, Football Association Challenge Cup. It has regularly been one of the List of sports attendance figures, most attended domestic football ev ...
that year but were surprisingly defeated 1–0 by
Terek Grozny
Republican Football Club Akhmat ( ce, футболан клуб Ахмат Соьлжа-ГӀала; russian: Республиканский футбольный клуб Ахмат Грозный), commonly known as Akhmat Grozny, is a Russian ...
in Moscow. Kingston joined Terek halfway through the
2005 season but was unable to help them avoid a bottom-placed finish and relegation from the top flight into the
First Division.
Several of Terek's higher-profile players left as a result of this demotion, and Kingston joined
Lokomotiv Moscow
FC Lokomotiv Moscow (''FC Lokomotiv Moskva'', russian: link=no, Футбольный клуб "Локомотив" Москва, ) is a Russian professional football club based in Moscow
Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москв ...
on loan for the
2006 season. He was banned for 6 matches in July 2006 for deliberately injuring
Dynamo Moscow
MGO VFSO "Dynamo" (russian: МГО ВФСО «Динамо»), commonly known as Dynamo Moscow (russian: Динамо Москва) is a Russian sports club based in Moscow. Founded by Felix Dzerzhinsky on 18 April 1923, Dynamo Moscow was the first ...
defender
Leandro Fernández.
Hearts
When Terek failed to secure a return to the
Premier League
The Premier League (legal name: The Football Association Premier League Limited) is the highest level of the men's English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Foo ...
, Kingston appeared set for a permanent departure from the
Chechen side. Despite an approach from
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers Football Club () is a professional football club based in Horwich, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, which competes in . The club played at Burnden Park for 102 years from 1895 after moving from their original home at Pike's ...
and rumoured interest from
Newcastle United
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, that plays in the Premier League – the top flight of English football. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End ...
and
Fulham
Fulham () is an area of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham in West London, England, southwest of Charing Cross. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, bordering Hammersmith, Kensington and Chelsea. The area faces Wandsworth ...
. Kingston joined Hearts on 25 January 2007 on an initial six-month loan deal. Hearts also negotiated the option to sign him permanently for a further three years at the initial contract's end and exercised this option on 6 June 2007, for a reported fee of £500,000. Kingston's time at Heart of Midlothian is generally considered a disappointment as he was so rarely available to play because of injury and international commitments.
Vitesse
After his release from Hearts, Kingston moved to the Netherlands to sign for
Vitesse Arnhem
Vitesse may refer to:
* Vitesse Models, a diecast model car company
* Vitesse (band), Dutch rock band
* Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, a car
* Rover 216 Vitesse, a car
* Rover 3500 Vitesse, a car
* Rover 800 Vitesse, a car
* Triumph Vites ...
, but was released in December 2010 after just six months with the club.
Move to Israel
Kingston, who had trained with his former club Hearts of Oak after his release from Vitesse, signed a two-year deal with
Israeli Premier League
The Israeli Premier League ( he, ליגת העל, ''Ligat Ha`Al'', ), is a professional association football league which operates as the highest division of the Israeli Football League – the state's league of Israel. The league is contested b ...
side
Hapoel Be'er Sheva
Hapoel Be'er Sheva Football Club ( he, מועדון הכדורגל הפועל באר שבע, ''Moadon HaKaduregel Hapoel Be'er Sheva'') is an Israeli football club from the city of Be'er Sheva, that competes in the Israeli Premier League. The c ...
on 13 July 2011.
On 6 August, kingston scored his first goal for Be'er Sheva in a Free Kick Against
Beitar Jerusalem
Beitar Jerusalem Football Club ( he, מועדון כדורגל בית"ר ירושלים, Moadon Kaduregel Beitar Yerushalayim), commonly known as Beitar Jerusalem () or simply as Beitar (), is an Israeli football club based in the city of Jeru ...
In the
Toto Cup
The Israel Toto Cup ( he, גביע הטוטו, ''Gvia Ha'Toto'') is an association football tournament that features clubs in the two highest divisions in Israel: the Israeli Premier League ( Ligat Ha'Al), and the second division Liga Leumit.
Fro ...
in a game which Be'er Sheva won 3–0.
Return to Hearts of Oak
In the January 2012, Kingston returned to
Ghana Premier League
The is the top professional association football division of the football league system in Ghana. Officially formed in 1956 to replace a previous league incarnation, the Gold Coast Club Competition (which began in 1933 and ended in 1953–54), t ...
for his former club
Hearts of Oak
Hearts most commonly refers to:
* Hearts (card game), a trick-taking game
* Hearts (suit), one of the standard four suits of cards
* Heart, an organ
Hearts may also refer to:
Music
* The Hearts, an American girl group closely related to the Jay ...
, signing one and a half-year contract.
Move To America
In March 2013 Kingston signed to
USL PRO
The USL Championship (USLC) is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011. The USL is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer) as a Division II league since 2017, pl ...
team
Phoenix FC
Phoenix FC was an American professional soccer team based in Phoenix. The team was a member of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. The team's colors were red and white.
History
On June 18, 2012, BDR Spo ...
.
After leaving Phoenix, Kingston went on trial with
Brunei DPMM
Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Football Club (His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Brunei Football Club in English, commonly known as DPMM FC) is a professional football club based in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The club played in the Brunei Pr ...
of the
S.League
The Singapore Premier League, commonly abbreviated as SPL, officially known as the AIA Singapore Premier League for sponsorship reasons, is a men's professional football league sanctioned by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), which re ...
in November 2013.
International career
Well known as an uncompromising and hard-working player by fellow professionals, Kingston's determined style has occasionally caused him problems, most notably when representing the
Ghanaian national side at the
2006 Africa Cup of Nations
The 2006 Africa Cup of Nations was the 25th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the association football championship of Africa. It was hosted by Egypt. Just like in 2004, the field of sixteen teams was split into four groups of four. Egypt w ...
, when he was sent off during Ghana's 1–0 victory over
Senegal
Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭 (Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤭 ...
following an altercation with
Habib Beye
Habib Frédéric Beye (born 19 October 1977) is a former professional footballer who played as a right-back. He is the manager of Championnat National club Red Star. Born in France, he represented the Senegal national team.
He is also a pundit ...
. Both players subsequently received unprecedented four-match suspensions, which resultantly ruled Kingston out of contention for the Ghana squad for
2006 World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup, also branded as Germany 2006, was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which had won the right to host the ...
. Kingston returned to prominence for the ''Black Stars'' in February 2007 though, scoring in their 4–1 victory over
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
in London. He was also excluded from the squad for the
2010 World Cup
, image = 2010 FIFA World Cup.svg
, size = 200px
, caption = ''Ke Nako. (Tswana and Sotho for "It's time") Celebrate Africa's Humanity'It's time. Celebrate Africa's Humanity'' (English)''Dis tyd. Vier Afrika se mensd ...
.
Personal life
Kingston's elder brother,
Richard Kingson
Richard Kingson (born 13 June 1978) is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He currently serves as a goalkeeper coach for the Ghana national football team. He is also known by his Turkish name Faruk Gürsoy and ...
, is also a professional footballer, who played
in goal
IN, In or in may refer to:
Places
* India (country code IN)
* Indiana, United States (postal code IN)
* Ingolstadt, Germany (license plate code IN)
* In, Russia, a town in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast
Businesses and organizations
* Independ ...
in all four of Ghana's matches at the
2006 World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup, also branded as Germany 2006, was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which had won the right to host the ...
. Richard was also first-choice at the
2010 tournament. He previously played for
Blackpool
Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the North West England, northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the Borough of Blackpool, borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, betw ...
,
Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic Football Club () is an English professional association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The team competes in the Championship, the second tier of the English football league system.
Founded in 1932, ...
and
Birmingham City
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional football club based in Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, it was renamed Small Heath in 1888, Birmingham in 1905, and Birmingham City in 1943. Since 2011, the first te ...
.
On 21 November 1997 his son,
Jacob
Jacob (; ; ar, يَعْقُوب, Yaʿqūb; gr, Ἰακώβ, Iakṓb), later given the name Israel, is regarded as a patriarch of the Israelites and is an important figure in Abrahamic religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. J ...
, was born, he is currently a professional footballer who plies his trade with Ghanaian club Accra Great Olympics.
References
External links
*
Appearancesat londonhearts.com
*
ttps://web.archive.org/web/20070624001544/http://www.stv.tv/content/sport/ stv'' interview, 26 June 2007.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kingston, Laryea
1980 births
Living people
Footballers from Accra
Ghanaian men's footballers
Ghana men's under-20 international footballers
Ghana men's international footballers
2006 Africa Cup of Nations players
2008 Africa Cup of Nations players
Ghanaian expatriate men's footballers
Men's association football midfielders
Scottish Premier League players
Russian Premier League players
Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C. players
Maccabi Akhi Nazareth F.C. players
Expatriate men's footballers in Israel
Expatriate men's footballers in Libya
Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland
Expatriate men's footballers in Russia
Expatriate men's footballers in Saudi Arabia
Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Libya
Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia
PFC Krylia Sovetov Samara players
Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Israel
FC Lokomotiv Moscow players
FC Akhmat Grozny players
Heart of Midlothian F.C. players
Accra Great Olympics F.C. players
Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Scotland
SBV Vitesse players
Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands
Eredivisie players
Al-Ittihad Club (Tripoli) players
Al-Ettifaq FC players
Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C. players
Israeli Premier League players
Saudi Pro League players
Libyan Premier League players