Raphael Lea'i

Raphael Lea'i
Personal information
Full name Raphael Ohanua Lea'i Jr.
Date of birth (2003-09-09) 9 September 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Honiara, Solomon Islands
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
Adelaide City
Number 8
Youth career
2015 Kossa
2016–2018 Marist
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018 Marist 6 (4)
2019–2023 Henderson Eels 44 (91)
2023–2024 Velež Mostar 12 (2)
2024– Adelaide City 9 (2)
International career
2018–2019 Solomon Islands U17 12 (14)
2022– Solomon Islands 23 (12)
Medal record
Representing  Solomon Islands
MSG Prime Minister's Cup
Winner 2023 New Caledonia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 August 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 November 2024

Raphael Ohanua Lea'i Jr. (born 9 September 2003) is a Solomon Islands professional footballer who plays as a striker for NPL South Australia club Adelaide City and the Solomon Islands national team. He is the first Solomon Islands player to have played professional football in Europe.[1][2][3][4][5]

  1. ^ "Prvi igrač sa Solomonskih Ostrva u Evropi: Raphael Lea'i u "Veležu" želi ostvariti dječački san". aa.com.tr. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Unearthing Raphael Lea'i". khelnow.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Solomon Islands' young soccer star Raphael Lea'i focussed on securing a pro deal in Europe". abc.net.au. Archived from the original on 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Rafa impressive". solomonstarnews.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Raphael Lea'i talks media hype and career ambitions". footballoceania.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.