Niko Kirwan (Calcio Padova | Italy)

New rules meaning teams are reduced from 78 to 40 (only serie A and B teams plus the 3 serie C teams that won direct promotion to the second tier, and the club winning the Serie C play outs, 3 Serie C clubs that came 2nd the previous season and the winner of the Serie C FA Cup). 
As always, to read, understand and interpret any rules coming out of Italy I've had to take a day off work and pull out my dictionary 😂

In short, Reggiana will compete in the Serie C coppa Italia but that's a trophy for third tier clubs only and not the real deal

Slightly cryptic news coming out of Reggiana with two contracted players having a big of a conversation on social media which left the door open to the fact that they might be leaving. In short, players who are contracted for next season may be sold to willing Serie B clubs or go their own way.
The article mentions how a 'return for Kirwan and Espeche appears difficult right now'. 

What is clear though is that new coach Aimo Diana has been on the phone to many players and also having face to face meetings so hopefully Niko finds out from the horse's mouth what his options are for next season and can act accordingly 

Not getting the best feeling out of Reggiana at the moment. They just signed a right MF who has played under the new coach before and now there's news of the upcoming signing of a left sided player, Pizzul from Pro Patria which would be bad news for Niko you'd imagine. 
I've been reading the Serie B and C transfer news everyday but so far nothing about Kirwan Jr. I really hope he finds a contract somewhere soon.

Appears that Niko has been released from Reggiana.

Wibblebutt

Appears that Niko has been released from Reggiana.

Not so much released as not re-signed upon his contract expiring 

Sounds like he'll be joining Padova, back in Serie C.

Wibblebutt

Sounds like he'll be joining Padova, back in Serie C.

Not a bad outcome if so?

Calcio Padova, seems only missed out on automatic promotion to Serie B (to Perugia) last season on GD , and then had the heartbreak of losing the Serie C final playoff series on pens to Alessandria.
https://us.soccerway.com/teams/italy/biancoscudati-padova/31139/

Have a tasty friendly against Lazio next week. Typical Italian colurful past!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcio_Padova

Damn I was beaten to it! 
https://m.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-c/?action=read&idtmw=1561377

Definitely a good move if it materialises, with Padova being a strong contender for promotion. It must be said that Serie C is very hard. Unless you win your  group, it can be tricky to get promoted.. 
Still, that's great news.
I'll keep an eye out for confirmation of the move. 

More news coming out of the North East of Italy.. 
https://www.padovasport.tv/pddintorni/padova-arriva-lo-svincolato-kirwan-ex-mestre-e-reggiana-i-dettagli/

Sounds like the deal is almost done - Niko should be a Padova player soon and sign a 1 year contract. 
I had a look at their squad, and didn't really recognise anyone other than the Sporting Director Sean Sogliano who is a former professional player...even the coach is relatively unknown. Still they must be doing something right as they were ever so close to being promoted last year. 
Interesting to note the club are majority owned by a company from Luxembourg.. 
They were a good team in the 90s, playing in Serie A and almost winning a Coppa Italia. If memory serves me right, former USNMT player Alexi Lalas played for them after the WC in 94

Also, on a personal note, sometime in the late 90s my best friend and I caught the overnight train from Rome to go to Padova and meet two girls we had befriended on the Internet. It was a pretty scary trip as we were quite young and naive. We met an army private and barricaded ourselves in a cabin. When we arrived in Padova at around 5am, we were greeted by prostitutes, pushers, pimps. We got out of the station quite quickly needless to say. 
Also we didn't have our organs harvested, and met the two girls. Suffice it to say we'd probably all exaggerated our good looks while chatting online... so we hung out for a few hours and then returned to Rome having had a great couple of days! 

Whilst not official yet, sounds like the deal has been done - a one year contract with an extension should they get promoted to Serie B (google translate!)...
 
newzealandpower?

You're spot on! 
It's been reported here also (very trusted source) https://m.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-c/?action=read&idtmw=1561069

Can confirm it's a 1 year deal with automatic extension in case of promotion to Serie B. 
I think given his ambitions, it was probably the right call on his behalf though this means he will be a free agent by the end of the season if Padova don't get promoted. Anyway, exciting times ahead! 
Mods please update his club to Padova or Calcio Padova (technically their new name but everyone calls them just Padova) 

Super official now with a nice article on the Padova calcio website
https://www.padovacalcio.it/niko-kirwan-padova/

Pretty good read though they forgot he won the OCL with TeeDubs. I'd forgotten how he won Serie C with Reggina before doing it again with Reggio Audace the following year! Can he go 3 for 3 in terms of promotions? That'd be amazing! 

Nice interview on the official website (https://youtu.be/ApV7RQZE7o8).
No great insights other than what we knew. He usually plays RB with a back 4 but over the last 2 years he's been deployed on the left as well. 
It was nice the interviewers didn't just ask about Sir John, but also about his mother and sister (elite volleyball players)... One interesting tidbit I didn't know about is that TAHW trialled with  Padova a couple of years' back apparently. The journalists didn't sound too enthusiastic (one remarked "he was on a plane for 24hr and then left only a day of two later")...
Also Niko said he was injured when last called up yo the senior side and that played a part in his not featuring for the AWs then. He says he has AWs aspirations... First proper game is vs Alessandria (who knocked them out of Serie B contention last year IIRC) on October 8th in the Coppa Italia qualifying round 

Well AWs RB/RWB position remains most open slot going forward.

Hopefully NZF secures some Euro based friendlies later this year, and Hay can bring in say Kirwan and Billingsley for a look.

But utility man Payne could well end up playing there in the big games next year. Esp if that’s to be his position this upcoming season with the Nix

Plays a full game in a preseason game with Serie A club Lazio. 
1-1 the final score. Not bad for the first hit out of the season

Highlights from the Lazio game here (https://www.padovacalcio.it/amichevole-lazio-padova-1-1-highlights/). 
Niko perhaps unsurprisingly featuring mainly in defensive situations, wearing the red #3

Another pre-season win for Padova, this time 1-0 vs Hellas Verona Primavera (youth team). 
Niko started and was subbed at HT along with most of the team. Had a good shot on goal according to the match report. 

Another full game in a friendly. 2-2 vs Pordenone Calcio (Serie B outfit). 
Niko was one of 3 players not to be substituted. 

newzealandpower

Another full game in a friendly. 2-2 vs Pordenone Calcio (Serie B outfit). 
Niko was one of 3 players not to be substituted. 

What formation are they playing? What position is has he been playing in pre season - noting last year he jumped around a bit 

I'm not too sure about the formation. They seem to play with a back 4, of that I'm pretty certain. 
From what I've seen he's played both on the left and right already. 

Highlights from the Pordenone friendly here (https://www.padovacalcio.it/amichevole-padova-pordenone-2-2-highilghts/). Niko playing RB and wearing the white #25. Appears to be at fault for letting the cross in for the first goal. Though very slack marking by Padova's CB there too... 
First game in a couple of days in the preliminary round of the Coppa Italia 

Bad start to the season for Padova who fall 2-0 to Alessandria in the Coppa Italia qualifying round. Padova had a man sent off after 28 minutes and another one at 51'. 
Niko had a good game (the whole 120') on the left from what I can see. 
Not sure if they will now be able to compete in the Serie C Coppa Italia or not.. Will find out 

Highlights from the Coppa Italia clash here
https://youtu.be/SVdEbg2GQBQ

Poor discipline on Padova's behalf to go down to 9 men so early. 
Niko involved on the right hand side, and almost crafting a beautiful assist at 1:43

A goal and an assist in a friendly game (+ joint training session) against local Serie D side Campodarsego. Niko came on in the 24th minute at RB following an injury to a teammate. 
Obviously the opponents were of a lesser caliber, but it's great to see Niko doing well on attack.
Only two weeks to go (August 29th) until the season opener, vs Reno's old club Renate. 

Great return to Serie C for Niko who gets the nod to start on the right. Plays 75 minutes and collects a yellow card in a 3-0 away win at Reno's old club Renate. 

https://www.padovacalcio.it/renate-padova-0-3-highlights/
Highlights from their win against Renate. Niko not getting much ball out wide, but involved was near the action on a couple of the goals. Wearing 26 and sporting a man bun. 

Padova make it 2 for 2 with a gutsy 2-1 win vs Pergolettese. 
The hosts were behind for most of the game but scored in quick succession at 78 and 84 to turn the game around. 
Full game and a shot that went very close to the top corner for Niko. 

Early highlights package here 
https://video.sky.it/sport/calcio/lega-pro/video/padova-pergolettese-gol-highlights-692598

Niko with a great shot sailing just wide at 0:33. Also good to see him close to the action for both of Padova's goal, first making a decoy run and then continuing his run he would have been there for any tap in or rebound 

Highlights from the club's website, better quality. 
https://www.padovacalcio.it/padova-pergolettese-2-1-highlights/

I hadn't realised how much of a hand Niko had in the equaliser. He makes a great pass, followed up by a handy run, fir the guy who crosses it in for the winning header. Also, so unlucky not to score with that volley! 

Serie B resumes after the break. 
Padova with a 4-0 thumping of Legnano.
Full game, a goal + assist for Niko! 

Highlights here 
https://youtu.be/2np1hZFoNNY
Not the highest quality file, but you can appreciate Niko's technique for the opener and the assist for the second goal. The fourth goal by Padova was also a beaut. 
Seems to be a very popular player, celebrated by all his teammates for the goal and the assist. In this instance it was interesting to see everyone converging on him to celebrate and not on the goalscorer. 
I also watched an interview on the Padova website, Niko said he'd never scored a goal like that, especially off his left foot. 
He said he continues to concentrate on defense which is not the strongest aspect of his game.
Apparently Kirwan Sr wakes up at 2.30am to watch Niko play each game and has been learning lots about football in order to understand it better and provide advice. 

3 for 3 for Padova. Great start to the season. They are back in action on Wednesday, again versus Legnano, but this time in the Serie C Cup. 

EDIT:
Better highlights package here 
https://youtu.be/Ub9HAln_VN0

Incredibly, Niko got a second assist (lovely step over and driving run, pin point pass at 5:27) but it was chalked off due to offside. 

Rested in the second round Serie C cup tie vs Legnano which Padova won 1-0.
They are now through to the Round of 16. Interestingly, the winner gets an automatic spot in the promotion playoffs (as well as qualifying to compete in the Coppa Italia the following year) . Great little carrot right there. 

Gets an article in the prestigious Gazzetta dello Sport daily newspaper 
https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/altri-campionati/15-09-2021/storia-niko-kirwan-padova-figlio-ex-rugbista-john-4201258479485_preview.shtml?reason=unauthenticated&origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazzetta.it%2FCalcio%2Faltricampionati%2F15-09-2021%2Fstoria-niko-kirwan-padova-figlio-exrugbista-john-4201258479485.shtml

Unfortunately it's behind a pay wall so I can't read it. Great news though 

Full game and an assist in a 2-0 home win vs Triestina. 
Padova one of only two teams on full points after 4 games. 
Niko with one goal and 2 assists so far. Pretty good start to the season I'd say! 

newzealandpower

Full game and an assist in a 2-0 home win vs Triestina. 
Padova one of only two teams on full points after 4 games. 
Niko with one goal and 2 assists so far. Pretty good start to the season I'd say! 

With a start like he's had for this season, I'm kinda surprised he wasn't picked up by another Serie B side. 

Would it be fair to assume that a lower half Serie B side would be his level? And when I say that, I'm aware that is still a very,very good level especially looking at some of the clubs currently competing in Serie B this season.

To be completely honest (and I'm biased as I like him a lot) I'm not sure last season he would have turned that many heads. He played a fair bit but wasn't necessarily a starter, for an average side that got relegated. And when he did play, the comments usually hinted at his tenacity, never give up attitude and fitness but how he struggled defensively against classy opposition and seldom delivered assists and good crosses. 
But players change and improve, and the start of the season is testament to Niko's hard work. He will definitely be getting some attention now. He needs to keep his head down and gain some consistency. It helps that Padova are very competitive and have been in and around the play offs for a couple of seasons. Their season's objective is promotion and the team that was assembled reflects that. 

Highlights from the last game here 
https://www.padovacalcio.it/padova-triestina-2-0-highlights/

Lovely left footed through ball by Niko at 1:25. Interesting he also seems to have shifted from right to left back as the game progressed. 

90 minutes in a 2-1 come from behind win at Pro Patria. 
Played the first half on the right and second on the left. 
Highlights here:
https://youtu.be/q8iWd0TzUw0

Has half a chance at 1:05, then was at least partially at fault for Pro Patria's goal but also very much involved in his side's 2-1 goal so a busy shift by the looks of it. 
Padova now alone on top of Group A with 15 points from 5 games, the only side out of the 3 National groups. 

Midweek Serie C action this morning, and Padova make it 6 for 6! 
Another come from behind win, this time 2-1 vs Fiorenzuola.
Full game and a yellow for Niko. 

Padova top of the table and +4 on 2nd. Early stages still but what a start. 

Next up the host 10th placed Seregno who won 5-0 this morning. Slight Kiwi match up with former Nix washout Marco Rossi matching up vs Niko... 

Padova's perfect streak ends, but they remain unbeaten.
1-1 vs Seregno. Niko subbed off after 85', with the score being 1-1.
Marco Rossi subbed off after 64 minutes.