Tonga’s football star Ata Inia signs for a new club in Thailand

Ata Inia, the 24-year-old Tongan winger, has signed a one-year contract with Chanthaburi, a club in Thailand’s second-tier football league. Inia, who played for Navy FC, Chainat FC, and Phrae United last season, continues his professional journey in Thailand with this new move.

In the previous season, Inia played 29 matches for Phrae United, scoring twice and providing three assists, showcasing his capability as a valuable team player.

Inia stands out as the only professional player from Tonga, a status that brings significant attention to his career. He is expected to represent his country in the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers this September. Despite not yet making his debut for the national team, Inia has committed to representing the Kingdom of Tonga on the international stage.

Starting his senior career with Melbourne Knights in Australia’s NPL, Inia’s path to representing Tonga has been marked by several bureaucratic challenges. However, he is now set to be cleared to play for his country.

As Inia prepares for his debut with Chanthaburi, fans and followers of Tongan football eagerly await his contributions both at the club level and in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.