Kiban Rai
Personal information
Full name Kiban Rai
Date of birth (2005-05-28) 28 May 2005 (age 18)
Place of birth Brecon, Wales
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Newport County
Number 18
Youth career
2021– Newport County
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– Newport County 15 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:14, 20 January 2024 (UTC)

Kiban Rai (born 28 May 2005) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League Two club Newport County.

Career

Rai started his journey in football playing for Brecon Town FC, where he burst into the Powys under 8’s division, taking the league by storm. Rai joined the youth academy of Newport County at Under 15 level.[1] He made his senior debut for Newport in the 3–1 EFL League Two away defeat to Salford City at Moor Lane on 5 March 2023 as a second-half substitute for Nathan Moriah-Welsh.[2][3] In June 2023 Rai signed his first professional contract with Newport County,[4] making him the first male player of Nepalese descent to sign a professional contract in the Premier League or EFL. On 29 August 2023 Rai scored his first goal for Newport, the 96th minute equaliser in the EFL Cup 1-1 draw against Brentford of the Premier League, which Brentford won on penalties.[5]

Personal life

Rai was born in Brecon, Wales, and he also qualifies to represent Nepal through his parents.[6] [7] His father was a British Army Gurkha and in 2023 Kiban Rai became the first male player of Nepalese descent to sign a professional contract in the Premier League or EFL.[8]

Style of play

Rai mainly operates as an attacking midfielder.[9] He is known for his creativity and technical ability.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "ACADEMY | Nine new scholars confirmed for 2021/22 season". www.newport-county.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Salford come from behind to beat Newport". Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  3. ^ "Surprise visits and high standards – County's top duo aim to use academy talent". South Wales Argus. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Kiban Rai signs first professional contract". www.newport-county.co.uk.
  5. ^ Rai first Newport goal
  6. ^ "Rai debut interview". Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Newport County: Kiban Rai becomes first Nepalese player in EFL". DasFootball. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Gurkha's son aims to inspire – and play for Wales" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  9. ^ "Newport County hope academy talent follows Kiban Rai lead". southwalesargus.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.


External links

Newport County A.F.C. – current squad
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