Kiban Rai

Kiban Rai
Rai after scoring against Brentford in the EFL Cup in 2023
Personal information
Full name Kiban Hang Rai
Date of birth (2004-10-24) 24 October 2004 (age 21)
Place of birth Brecon, Wales
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
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. 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. In June 2023 Rai signed his first professional contract with Newport County 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. On 30 January 2025 Rai joined Southern League club Merthyr Town on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. He was released by Newport County at the end of the 2024-25 season.

On 25 June 2025, Rai agreed to join National League side Aldershot Town. On 3 February 2026, Rai agreed to return to Merthyr Town on loan for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. 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.

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

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 League Two 4000000040
2023–24 League Two 140301120201
2024–25 League Two 4000101060
Total 220302130301
Merthyr Town (loan) 2024–25 Southern League Premier Division South 41———41
Aldershot Town 2025–26 National League 18011—41232
Merthyr Town (loan) 2025–26 National League North 133———133
Hampton & Richmond Borough 2026–27 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. 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.

Style of play

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

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.