Kye Rowles

Kye Francis Rowles (born 24 June 1998) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a central defender for Major League Soccer club D.C. United and the Australia national team.

Kye Rowles

Rowles with A-Leagues All Stars
Personal information
Full name	Kye Francis Rowles[1]
Date of birth	(1998-06-24) 24 June 1998 (age 27)
Place of birth	Kiama, New South Wales, Australia
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Central defender
Team information
Current team	D.C. United
Number	15
Youth career
	QAS
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2015	FFA CoE	1	(0)
2016–2017	Brisbane Roar NPL	5	(0)
2016–2017	Brisbane Roar	2	(0)
2017–2022	Central Coast Mariners	104	(2)
2022–2025	Heart of Midlothian	82	(1)
2025–	D.C. United	14	(0)
International career‡
2013–2015	Australia U17	15	(0)
2016	Australia U20	4	(0)
2019–2021	Australia U23	5	(0)
2022–	Australia	25	(1)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Australia AFF U-19 Youth Championship 2016 Vietnam U-20 Team AFF U-16 Youth Championship 2013 Myanmar U-17 Team
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 29 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 10 July 2025

Rowles began his professional career with Brisbane Roar in 2016 before moving to Central Coast Mariners in 2017. In 2022 he signed for Scottish club Heart of Midlothian. He has represented Australia at under-17 level, including at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, under-23 level at the Tokyo Olympics and at senior level at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Brisbane Roar

In May 2016, Rowles signed his first professional contract with Brisbane Roar on a two-year deal along with fellow young defender Connor O'Toole.^[2] Rowles made his first competitive start for the Roar in a loss to Ulsan Hyundai in the AFC Champions League on 28 February 2017.^{[citation needed]}

Central Coast Mariners

Rowles moved to Central Coast Mariners on a one-year contract in June 2017.^[3] He made his Mariners' A-League debut on 18 November 2017, following an injury to Josh Rose, in a loss to Adelaide United.^[4]

Rowles played for the Mariners in the 2021 FFA Cup Final, which the Mariners lost 2-1. Rowles was jointly awarded the Mark Viduka Medal along with Jake Brimmer, becoming the first player to win the medal while playing for the losing team. He is also the only person to consecutively win the Mariners Medal.

Heart of Midlothian

On 9 June 2022, Rowles joined Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian for an undisclosed fee and signed a three-year deal.^[5] On 16 January 2023, following a successful World Cup with Australia, Rowles signed a five-year contract extension to 2028.^[6]

D.C. United

On 15 January 2025, Rowles joined Major League Soccer outfit D.C. United for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal, with an option of another year.^[7][8]

International career

Rowles was selected in the Australian under-17 team for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup.^[9]

In November 2020, Rowles was called up to the Australian under-23 team for friendly matches against A-League sides.^[10] In June 2021, Rowles was called up to the team again for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.^[11] He was part of the Olyroos Olympic squad. The team beat Argentine in their first group match but were unable to win another match. They were therefore not in medal contention.^[12]

Rowles made his Socceroos debut 1 June 2022 against Jordan in a friendly match, winning 2-1.^[13]

Rowles was called up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.^[14]

Career statistics

Club

As of 10 May 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup[a]		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Brisbane Roar	2016–17	A-League	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	4	0
Central Coast Mariners	2017–18	A-League	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
	2018–19		21	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	22	1
	2019–20		20	1	2	0	2	0	0	0	22	1
	2020–21		27	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	27	0
	2021–22		25	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	28	0
	Total		104	2	6	0	2	0	0	0	112	2
Hearts	2022–23	Scottish Premiership	29	1	2	0	2	0	0	0	33	1
	2023–24		33	0	6	0	4	0	0	0	43	0
	2024–25		20	0	0	0	7	0	—		27	0
	Total		82	1	8	0	13	0	0	0	103	1
D.C. United	2025	Major League Soccer	10	0	1	0	—		0	0	11	0
Career total			198	3	15	0	17	0	0	0	230	3

1. Includes the FFA Cup and U.S. Open Cup

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Australia	2022	7	0
	2023	6	0
	2024	11	1
Total		24	1

International goals

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	21 March 2024	Western Sydney Stadium, Parramatta, Australia	Lebanon	2–0	2–0	2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Australia U20

• AFF U-19 Youth Championship: 2016^[15]

Individual

• Mariners Medal: 2020–21, 2021-22^[16]
• Mark Viduka Medal: 2021^[17]
• A-Leagues All Star: 2022^[18]

Notes