Kiban Rai
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kiban Hang Rai[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 24 October 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | Brecon, Wales | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Merthyr Town (on loan from Aldershot Town) | ||
| Number | 18 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2021 | Brecon Corinthians | ||
| 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 | 18 | (0) |
| 2026– | → Merthyr Town (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:44, 3 February 2026 (UTC) | |||
Kiban Hang Rai (born 24 October 2004) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Merthyr Town on loan from National League club Aldershot Town.
Career
Newport County
Rai joined the youth academy of Newport County at under-15 level from Brecon Corinthians.[3][4] 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.[5][6] In June 2023 Rai signed his first professional contract with Newport County[7] 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.[8]
On 30 January 2025 Rai joined Southern League club Merthyr Town on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.[9] He was released by Newport County at the end of the 2024-25 season.[10]
Aldershot Town
On 25 June 2025, Rai agreed to join National League side Aldershot Town.[11]
On 3 February 2026, Rai agreed to return to Merthyr Town on loan for the remainder of the 2025–26 campaign.[12]
Career statistics
- As of 17 January 2026
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Newport County | 2022–23[13] | League Two | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2023–24[14] | League Two | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2[a] | 0 | 20 | 1 | |
| 2024–25[15] | 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[16] | Southern League Premier Division South | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | |||
| Aldershot Town | 2025–26[17] | National League | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 4[b] | 1 | 23 | 2 | |
| Merthyr Town (loan) | 2025–26[18] | National League North | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 44 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 57 | 4 | ||
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
- ^ Appearance(s) in National League Cup
Personal life
Rai was born in Brecon, Wales, and he also qualifies to represent Nepal through his parents.[19] [20] 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.[21]
Style of play
Rai operates as a striker or attacking midfielder.[22] He is known for his creativity and technical ability.[3]
Honours
Merthyr Town
- Southern League Premier Division South Champion: 2024-2025
References
- ^ "Squad List 2024/25 & U21 Registered Contract Players" (PDF). English Football League. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ Newport County profile
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Kiban Rai signs first professional contract". newport-county.co.uk. 25 June 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Salford come from behind to beat Newport". BBC Sport. 4 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- ^ "Surprise visits and high standards – County's top duo aim to use academy talent". South Wales Argus. 10 March 2023. 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 released by Newport
- ^ "NEW SIGNING: Kiban Rai". www.theshots.co.uk. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "KIBAN RAI DEPARTS ON LOAN". www.theshots.co.uk. 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Games played by Kiban Rai in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Games played by Kiban Rai in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Games played by Kiban Rai in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Kiban Rai | Player Profile - Aylesbury United Archive". www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ Kiban Rai at Soccerway
- ^ Kiban Rai at Soccerway
- ^ "Rai debut interview". 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ "Newport County: Kiban Rai becomes first Nepalese player in EFL". DasFootball. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Gurkha's son aims to inspire – and play for Wales". BBC Sport. 30 June 2023.
- ^ "Newport County hope academy talent follows Kiban Rai lead". southwalesargus.co.uk. 10 March 2023. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
External links
- Kiban Rai at Soccerbase
- Kiban Rai at Soccerway
- Newport County AFC Kiban Rai profile