| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 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 | ||
| Number | 18 | ||
| 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 | 4 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16:39, 24 August 2025 (UTC) | |||
Kiban Rai (born 28 May 2005) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League club Aldershot Town.
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]
On 25 June 2025, Rai agreed to join National League side Aldershot Town. [9]
| 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 | ||
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]
Rai operates as a striker or attacking midfielder. [17] He is known for his creativity and technical ability. [2]
Merthyr Town