Kiban Rai

Kiban Rai
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-10-24) 24 October 2004
Place of birth Brecon, Wales
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Aldershot Town
Youth career
2021–2023 Newport County
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2025 Newport County 21 (0)
2025 → Merthyr Town (loan) 4 (1)
2025– Aldershot Town 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 08:03, 19 May 2025 (UTC)

Kiban Rai (born 28 May 2005) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League club Aldershot Town.

Career

Newport County

Rai joined the youth academy of Newport County at Under 15 level.[2] 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.[3][4] In June 2023 Rai signed his first professional contract with Newport County[5] 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.[6]

On 30 January 2025 Rai joined Southern League club Merthyr Town on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.[7] He was released by Newport County at the end of the 2024-25 season.[8]

Aldershot Town

On 25 June 2025, Rai agreed to join National League side Aldershot Town.[9]

Career statistics

As of end of 2024–25 season
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Newport County 2022–23[10] League Two 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2023–24[11] League Two 14 0 3 0 1 1 2[a] 0 20 1
2024–25[12] League Two 4 0 0 0 1 0 1[a] 0 6 0
Total 22 0 3 0 2 1 3 0 30 1
Merthyr Town (loan) 2024–25[13] Southern League Premier Division South 4 1 0 0 — 0 0 4 1
Career total 26 1 3 0 2 1 3 0 34 2
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Personal life

Rai was born in Brecon, Wales, and he also qualifies to represent Nepal through his parents.[14] [15] 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.[16]

Style of play

Rai operates as a striker or attacking midfielder.[17] He is known for his creativity and technical ability.[2]

Honours

Merthyr Town

References

  1. ^ Newport County profile
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Salford come from behind to beat Newport". Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "Kiban Rai signs first professional contract". www.newport-county.co.uk.
  6. ^ Rai first Newport goal
  7. ^ Rai Merthyr loab
  8. ^ Rai released by Newport
  9. ^ "NEW SIGNING: Kiban Rai". www.theshots.co.uk. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  10. ^ "Games played by Kiban Rai in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  11. ^ "Games played by Kiban Rai in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  12. ^ "Games played by Kiban Rai in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  13. ^ "Kiban Rai | Player Profile - Aylesbury United Archive". www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  14. ^ "Rai debut interview". Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  15. ^ "Newport County: Kiban Rai becomes first Nepalese player in EFL". DasFootball. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  16. ^ "Gurkha's son aims to inspire – and play for Wales" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  17. ^ "Newport County hope academy talent follows Kiban Rai lead". southwalesargus.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
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