Born in Stoke-on-Trent, the defender was a youthful member of the Under-18s squad during the treble-winning 2023/24 season, and built on that in the following campaign.

Making 14 league appearances in 2024/25, Kukonki was also exposed to the senior environment, regularly training with Ruben Amorim's first-team squad and being a part of the matchday squad for the first time in December 2024's Premier League fixture at Arsenal. He was also an unused substitute for games against Newcastle United, Southampton, Manchester City and twice against Olympique Lyonnais, in the Europa League quarter-finals.