Kiban Rai
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 28 May 2005 | ||
| Place of birth | Brecon, Wales | ||
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Merthyr Town (on loan Newport County) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2021–2023 | Newport County | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023– | Newport County | 21 | (0) |
| 2025– | → Merthyr Town (loan) | 4 | (1[2]) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:55, 23 March 2025 (UTC) | |||
Kiban Rai (born 28 May 2005) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a striker for Merthyr Town on loan from EFL League Two club Newport County.
Career
[edit]Rai joined the youth academy of Newport County at Under 15 level.[3] 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.[4][5] In June 2023 Rai signed his first professional contract with Newport County[6] 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.[7]
On 30 January 2025 Rai joined Southern League club Merthyr Town on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Rai was born in Brecon, Wales, and he also qualifies to represent Nepal through his parents.[9] [10] His father was a British Army Gurkha and in 2023 Kiban Rai became the first player of Nepalese descent to sign a professional contract in the Premier League or EFL when he joined Newport County.[11]
Style of play
[edit]Rai operates as a striker or attacking midfielder.[12] He is known for his creativity and technical ability.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Newport County profile
- ^ "Player Profile - Kiban Rai". Aylesbury United Archive. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Salford come from behind to beat Newport". Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Kiban Rai signs first professional contract". www.newport-county.co.uk.
- ^ Rai first Newport goal
- ^ Rai Merthyr loab
- ^ "Rai debut interview". Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ "Newport County: Kiban Rai becomes first Nepalese player in EFL". DasFootball. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Gurkha's son aims to inspire – and play for Wales" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "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
[edit]- Kiban Rai at Soccerbase
- Kiban Rai at Soccerway
- Newport County AFC Kiban Rai profile