Kiban Rai pens pro contract with Newport County

Newport County has made a historic move by signing Kiban Rai to his first professional contract.

Rai, an 18-year-old striker with Nepali heritage, hailing from Brecon, is set to make his mark in League Two, becoming the first Nepalese player to feature in the English Football League.

Kiban Rai embarked on his football journey at a grassroots level with Brecon Corinthians before catching the eye of Newport County. He joined the club's academy system in 2021 and earned a scholarship contract.

Following a strong showing at the academy level, Rai was called up to the senior squad for a match against Salford City last season.

His consistent performance eventually led him to make four first-team appearances, impressing manager Graham Coughlin.

Coughlin shared his admiration for the young striker, saying, "Kiban caught our eye in the academy. He trained with the first team for several months and developed his game really well, and I was delighted to give him his first start against Crewe on the final day of last season."

The manager hinted at a potential loan move for Rai in the future, emphasizing the need for the striker to gain more first-team experience.

Upon signing his first professional contract, an elated Rai expressed his joy, saying, "It's been a dream of mine since I was a young boy. To be able to do what I love full-time and to be presented with this opportunity is amazing. I couldn't be happier.”