Kiban Rai

Kiban Rai
Rai after scoring against Brentford in the EFL Cup in 2023
Personal information
Full name Kiban Hang Rai[1]
Date of birth (2004-10-24) 24 October 2004
Place of birth Brecon, Wales
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Hampton & Richmond Borough
Number 17
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)
2025–2026 Aldershot Town 18 (0)
2026 → Merthyr Town (loan) 13 (3)
2026– Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 21:05, 29 June 2026 (UTC)

Kiban Hang Rai (born 24 October 2004) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League South club Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Career

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]

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 season.[12] On 17 July 2026, it was confirmed that Rai would leave the club at the end of his contract despite featuring in their pre-season fixtures.[13]

On 31 July 2026, Rai agreed to join National League South side, Hampton & Richmond Borough following a successful trial period.[14]

Career statistics

As of 14 March 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Newport County 2022–23[15] League Two 4000000040
2023–24[16] League Two 14030112[a]0201
2024–25[17] League Two 4000101[a]060
Total 220302130301
Merthyr Town (loan) 2024–25[18] Southern League Premier Division South 41———41
Aldershot Town 2025–26[19] National League 18011—4[b]1232
Merthyr Town (loan) 2025–26[20] National League North 133———133
Hampton & Richmond Borough 2026–27[21] National League South 0000—0000
Career total 574412171707
  1. 1 2 Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  2. ↑ Appearance(s) in National League Cup

Personal life

Rai was born in Brecon, Wales, and he also qualifies to represent Nepal through his parents.[22][23] 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.[24]

Style of play

Rai operates as a striker or attacking midfielder.[25] He is known for his creativity and technical ability.[3]

Honours

Merthyr Town

References

  1. ↑ "Squad List 2024/25 & U21 Registered Contract Players" (PDF). English Football League. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  2. ↑ Newport County profile
  3. 1 2 "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.
  4. ↑ "Kiban Rai signs first professional contract". newport-county.co.uk. 25 June 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  5. ↑ "Salford come from behind to beat Newport". BBC Sport. 4 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "Kiban Rai signs first professional contract". www.newport-county.co.uk.
  8. ↑ Rai first Newport goal
  9. ↑ Rai Merthyr loab
  10. ↑ Rai released by Newport
  11. ↑ "NEW SIGNING: Kiban Rai". www.theshots.co.uk. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  12. ↑ "KIBAN RAI DEPARTS ON LOAN". www.theshots.co.uk. 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  13. ↑ "KIBAN RAI DEPARTS". theshots.co.uk. 17 July 2026. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "Kiban Rai Arrives at the Bev!". hamrichfc.com. 31 July 2026. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "Games played by Kiban Rai in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  16. ↑ "Games played by Kiban Rai in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  17. ↑ "Games played by Kiban Rai in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  18. ↑ "Kiban Rai | Player Profile - Aylesbury United Archive". www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  19. ↑ Kiban Rai at Soccerway
  20. ↑ Kiban Rai at Soccerway
  21. ↑ Kiban Rai at Soccerway
  22. ↑ "Rai debut interview". 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  23. ↑ "Newport County: Kiban Rai becomes first Nepalese player in EFL". DasFootball. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  24. ↑ "Gurkha's son aims to inspire – and play for Wales". BBC Sport. 30 June 2023.
  25. ↑ "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.
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