Hawthorn defender Changkouth Jiath was born in an Ethiopian refugee camp in 1999 – two decades later, he’s on the cusp of making his AFL debut.

The promising 185cm player is newly drafted by the Hawthorn Football Club, after working his way through feeder teams and getting noticed while playing for the prestigious Xavier College.

That love of sport that’s inspired him to potential stardom was fostered in an Ethiopian refugee camp, where he grew up kicking a soccer ball about.

SBS News

Jiath was six-years-old when his family boarded a plane to begin a new life in Australia.

“That was the first time I tasted cheese so that was a pretty weird taste,” he said.

READ MORE Rape is a very real threat for unaccompanied children in Ethiopia's refugee camps

“I had butter as well; I never had butter in Africa so it was kind of weird.”

SBS News

Jiath had a similar reaction when he first saw a Sherrin– but now that ball is an integral part of his new life.