Kai Whitmore

Kai Whitmore
Personal information
Full name Kai Rees William Whitmore
Date of birth (2001-03-25) 25 March 2001
Place of birth Neath Port Talbot, Wales
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Young Lions
Youth career
Swansea City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2022 Ammanford 11 (3)
2022–2023 Penybont 44 (2)
2023–2024 Haverfordwest County 27 (4)
2024–2026 Newport County 44 (5)
2026– Young Lions 0 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15:56, 2 February 2026 (UTC)

Kai Rees William Whitmore (born 25 March 2001) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Singapore Premier League club Young Lions.

Club career

Youth career

Whitmore began his footballing journey at a young age coming through the Swansea City academy.

Ammanford

Whitmore made his senior debut for Cymru South club Ammanford in the 2021–22 season on 23 July 2021 against Llanelli Town in a 3–0 win. He scored his Ammanford goal in a 8–1 win over Undy Athletic on 21 August 2021. Whitemore scored 3 goals and contribute 1 assist in 12 appearances across all competition in his debut season.[2]

Penybont

On 12 January 2022, Whitmore moved to Cymru Premier club Penybont for the remainder of the 2021–22 season. In the 2022–23 season, Whitmore played a key role in their impressive campaign, featuring in all 32 league games. He helped the club secure a top-three finish, which earned them a spot in the qualification for the Europa Conference League first qualifying round. Whitmore also played in the 2021–22 Welsh Cup final. The game ended in a 2–3 lost, with the victory going to The New Saints.[3]

Haverfordwest County

In May 2023 Whitmore joined Cymru Premier club Haverfordwest County.[4] At Haverfordwest County, Whitmore continued to shine under the guidance of Tony Pennock. He scored a brace in a 3–0 win over Aberystwyth Town on 30 September. Whitmore played a crucial role in their 2023–24 UEFA Conference League qualification campaign. He featured in all 4 of the 2 two-legged match against Shkëndija and B36 Tórshavn. In total, Whitmore made 32 appearances across all competitions for Haverfordwest, scoring four goals.

Newport County

In June 2024, Whitmore joined EFL League Two side Newport County.[5] He made his debut for Newport on 10 August in the 3–2 league defeat to Cheltenham Town.[6] In the next match on 17 August, Whitmore scored his first goal for the club in the 3–1 win against Doncaster Rovers.[7]

On 25 October 2025, Whitmore recorded three assists in a 3–0 away win over Harrogate Town.[8] On 8 November, Whitmore scored the opening goal, a top corner screamer, as Newport fell to a 2–4 home defeat against Walsall.[9] On 10 December, he assisted Cameron Antwi, who scored a stoppage time equaliser against Crewe Alexandra to bring the match to a 2–2 draw. On 2 February 2026, Whitmore departed the club by mutual consent.[10]

Young Lions

On 14 April 2026, Whitmore signed with Singapore Premier League side Young Lions, a developmental club managed by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS). As the transfer took place outside the league's registration window, he was not eligible to feature for the remainder of the 2025–26 season but rather the following 2026–27 season.[11][12]

International career

Whitmore is eligible to play for the Singapore national team through his grandfather who was born in Singapore in 1961 at the old Changi Hospital. Whitmore also expressed his interest in June 2025 to represent the Singapore national team and has contacted FAS on the process.[13]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 1 January 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ammanford 2021–22[2] Cymru South 1131010——133
Penybont 2021–22 Cymru Premier 1203000——150
2022–23 Cymru Premier 3223010——362
Total 44260100000512
Haverfordwest County 2023–24 Cymru Premier 27410004[c]0—324
Newport County 2024–25[14] League Two 2821110—1[d]0313
2025–26[15] League Two 1632110—10204
Total 44532200020517
Career total 1261411240402014716

Honours

Penybont

References

  1. ↑ "K. Whitmore". Newport County A.F.C.
  2. 1 2 "Games played by Kai Whitmore for Ammanford in 2021/2022". Ammanford AFC. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  3. ↑ Townley, Martin (1 May 2022). "Penybont 2-3 The New Saints – Jordan Williams double secures Saints' eighth Welsh Cup". Y Clwb Pel-Droed. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  4. ↑ Pritchard, Tom (22 May 2023). "Haverfordwest County announce signing of midfielder Kai Whitmore". Haverfordwest County AFC. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  5. ↑ "Kai Whitmore: Midfielder becomes Newport County's fourth recruit". BBC Sport. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  6. ↑ "Cheltenham Town 3-2 Newport County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  7. ↑ "Newport County vs Doncaster Rovers: League Two". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  8. ↑ Newport County (27 October 2025). Extended Highlights | Harrogate Town 0-3 Newport County. Retrieved 16 April 2026 – via YouTube.
  9. ↑ https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/745881/walsall-newport-county
  10. ↑ "Club Statement | Kai Whitmore". www.newport-county.co.uk. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  11. ↑ Ganesan, Deepanraj (14 April 2026). "Welsh midfielder Kai Whitmore to play in Singapore after signing with Young Lions". The Straits Times. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  12. ↑ "Welsh midfielder Kai Whitmore to play in Singapore after signing with Young Lions". The Straits Times. 14 April 2026. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  13. ↑ "Welsh midfielder Kai Whitmore wants to play for Singapore; exploring citizenship process". The Straits Times. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  14. ↑ "Games played by Kai Whitmore in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  15. ↑ "Games played by Kai Whitmore in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
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