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Brandon Khela

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Brandon Singh Khela
Personal information
Full name Brandon Singh Khela[1]
Date of birth (2005-01-19) 19 January 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Coventry, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Birmingham City
Number 27
Youth career
2014–2023 Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– Birmingham City 7 (1)
2024 → Ross County (loan) 15 (0)
International career
2022 England U17 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:42, 3 September 2024 (UTC)

Brandon Singh Khela (born 19 January 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League One club Birmingham City. In 2022, Khela became the first British South Asian to sign a professional contract with that club.[2] He spent the second half of the 2023–24 season on loan at Scottish Premiership club Ross County.

Early life and youth career

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Khela was born in Coventry, West Midlands. He grew up in a Sikh family in Birmingham and was introduced to football at a young age by his father, Dov Singh Khela.[3] He attended Arden Academy in Solihull.[4]

He joined Birmingham City's academy as an eight-year-old,[5] and took up a scholarship with the club in 2021.[6] According to the under-18s lead coach Martyn Olorenshaw, Khela "is a creator and scorer of many goals for the team from behind the forwards and his technical ability continues to improve. Brandon also has a fantastic engine on him which makes his defensive work important to the team as well."[6] In the 2021–22 season, Khela played in 14 league matches for Birmingham's U18s as well as 8 for Steve Spooner's development squad.[7] He also trained with the first team, was included in the matchday squad by manager Lee Bowyer for the EFL Championship visit to Stoke City in February 2022,[7] and received a call-up to the England U17 team.[8]

Club career

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Birmingham City

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Khela signed his first professional deal with Birmingham City, to begin in July 2022. Olorenshaw highlighted his attitude and work ethic, which "he backs up ... with serious talent".[9] Khela's signing was celebrated as a significant milestone in the club's history and a source of inspiration for young British South Asians who aspire to play at the highest level.[2]

Khela was included in the party for the first-team's pre-season training camp in Spain in July 2023,[10] and on 8 August 2023, he made his senior debut, replacing Keshi Anderson in the 81st minute of a 2-0 EFL Cup victory over Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road.[11][3] He made his first Championship appearance on 3 October as a late substitute in a 4–1 win at home to Huddersfield Town.[12] He was a regular in the matchday squad for the first three months of the season,[13] and signed a three-and-a-half-year contract in November 2023,[5] but made no further appearances for the first team.[13]

Ross County (loan)

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Khela joined Scottish Premiership club Ross County on 12 January 2024 on loan for the rest of the season.[14] He made his debut on 27 January, starting and playing the first hour of the visit to Celtic, who scored in the first minute and held on to their lead,[13][15] and kept his place for the next match, but was used off the bench for all but one of his remaining 13 appearances.[13] On 14 April, he came on as a late substitute with Ross County leading Rangers 3–1; although he conceded an 89th-minute penalty for handball, his team held on to beat Rangers for the first time in their history.[16]

Ross County finished 11th in the table, which meant they faced a play-off against Scottish Championship promotion candidates Raith Rovers to determine which would play in the Premiership next season.[17] With a 2–1 lead from the first leg, Ross County were 3–0 up in the second when Khela entered the match after 76 minutes. Ten minutes later, he scored his first senior goal to confirm a 4–0 win. According to the Daily Record's commentary, "[Will] Nightingale is denied as his header at the back post hits the post, before rebounding for substitute Khela, who does brilliantly to work the ball out of the congestion and send a lovely left-foot drive into the corner."[18][19]

Return to Birmingham City

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Under new manager Chris Davies, Khela played regularly in pre-season, and his versatility earned him selection for the opening matchday squad at home to Reading in League One.[20] In the next fixture, away to Charlton Athletic in the EFL Cup, he made his first start for Birmingham, playing at left back in the absence of Lee Buchanan (injured) and Alex Cochrane (rested).[21][22] After 32 minutes, he scored what proved to be the only goal of the match, bending the ball round the goalkeeper from well outside the penalty area. His arms-outstretched celebration mirrored that of his former youth team-mate Jude Bellingham, who also scored the only goal of the match away at Charlton on his full debut.[23][24][25]

On 22 August 2024, Davies confirmed Khela's integration within the first team squad for the season: "I just thought his mindset and the conversation I had with him really showed me, for such a young guy, there's a real maturity there and a real desire to be here and play for this club. He can cope physically as well and he's obviously been up to Ross County to play men's football, and he's decent on the ball and the attitude is exceptional so I have been really impressed."[26]

International career

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In May 2022, he was called up to the England U17 squad to face Norway and the United States in friendly matches in Marbella.[27] He played in both matches, coming on as a substitute in the 3–0 win against Norway on 4 June and starting in the 2–1 loss to the United States four days later.[28]

Personal life

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Khela's Sikh faith has played a significant role in his life and career. He has spoken about how his faith has helped him to stay focused and maintain a positive attitude, even in the face of adversity.[29] In April 2023, Khela and his younger brother Reiss, an academy player at Leicester City, spoke at a Vaisakhi event hosted by the Football Association at Wembley Stadium.[30]

Khela's signing with Birmingham City was recognised as a historic moment in British football and a source of inspiration for young footballers of South Asian descent.[31][8] He has stated that he wants to be a role model for British South Asians in football.[7]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 8 October 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Birmingham City 2021–22[13] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2022–23[13] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2023–24[32] Championship 1 0 0 0 1 0 — 2 0
2024–25[33] League One 2 0 0 0 1 1 2[b] 0 5 1
Total 3 0 0 0 2 1 2 0 7 1
Ross County 2023–24[32] Scottish Premiership 14 0 0 0 — 1[c] 1 15 1
Career total 17 0 0 0 2 1 3 1 22 2
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  3. ^ Appearance in Scottish Premiership play-offs

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "EFL – Squad List 2022/23: Birmingham City – Under 21 Contract players" (PDF). English Football League. p. 3. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b Trehan, Dev (1 July 2022). "Birmingham City: Brandon Khela becomes first British South Asian to sign pro deal at club". Sky Sports News. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b Trehan, Dev (9 August 2023). "Birmingham City: Sikh-Punjabi teenager Brandon Khela makes historic appearance for Blues". Sky Sports News. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Brandon Khela becomes first British Sikh to sign for Birmingham City FC". Brit Asia TV. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Blues' Brandon Khela pens new deal". Birmingham City F.C. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Blues' latest intake of Academy scholars sign". Birmingham City F.C. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Brandon Khela wants to be a role model for British South Asians in football". Birmingham City F.C. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  8. ^ a b Babar, Um-E-Aymen (27 July 2022). "'I'm proud of where I'm from but I want to be recognised for my talent.' – Brandon Khela on his historic signing for Birmingham City". Penalty Online. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  9. ^ Dick, Brian (1 July 2022). "Birmingham City teen takes step closer to a 'momentous occasion'". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  10. ^ Dicken, Alex (14 July 2023). "Birmingham City player ratings vs Cartagena: Tyler Roberts scores and Miyoshi makes debut". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Report: Cheltenham Town 0–2 Blues". Birmingham City F.C. 8 August 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Birmingham City 4–1 Huddersfield Town". BBC Sport. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "B. Khela". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  14. ^ Skinner, Andy (12 January 2024). "Ross County complete loan move for Birmingham City teenager Brandon Khela". Press & Journal. Aberdeen. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  15. ^ Skinner, Andy (3 February 2024). "Brandon Khela quickly clicking into new-look Ross County side". Press and Journal. Aberdeen. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  16. ^ Vhalk, Paul (14 April 2024). "Ross County score stunning first-ever victory against Rangers". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  17. ^ McMillan, Martin (19 May 2024). "Ross County 2 Aberdeen 2: Hosts in relegation play-off after draw". The Herald. Glasgow. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  18. ^ Pilcher, Ross; MacKay, Andy (26 May 2024). "Ross County 4 Raith 0 LIVE reaction as Don Cowie's Staggies stay up in style". Daily Record. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  19. ^ BCFC Academy [@BCFCAcademy] (26 May 2024). "Congratulations to @BrandonKhela on scoring his first senior goal" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 May 2024 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ Dicken, Alex (11 August 2024). "'Biggest challenge' for Chris Davies becomes clear as Emil Hansson makes Birmingham City point". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  21. ^ Dicken, Alex (12 August 2024). "Willum Willumsson latest as Birmingham City injury list grows before Charlton". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  22. ^ Dicken, Alex (13 August 2024). "Chris Davies can make nine changes for Charlton to give Birmingham City fringe stars a chance". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  23. ^ Dicken, Alex (13 August 2024). "Charlton 0–1 Birmingham City: Brandon Khela scores a stunner but Sanderson sees red". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  24. ^ Dicken, Alex (14 August 2024). "Brandon Khela reveals Jude Bellingham detail and Birmingham City wish after wondergoal". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  25. ^ Birmingham City FC [@BCFC] (13 August 2024). "Hold on, haven't we seen that celebration at The Valley before? 👐" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Alex, Dicken. "Chris Davies expects imminent loan transfers with one Birmingham City player set to stay". Birmingham Live. Birmingham Live. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  27. ^ Thomas, Ramod (2 July 2022). "Who is Brandon Khela? The first British South Asian who signed professional contract at Birmingham City". Eastern Eye. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  28. ^ "Match results Under 17 2020–2030". England Football Online. Chris Goodwin & Glen Isherwood. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  29. ^ "Sikhism in football: The Sikh footballers making a name in the game". BBC Football Focus. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Wembley played host to an open iftar for Ramadan and Vaisakhi celebration this month". The Football Association. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  31. ^ Davey, Jacob (1 July 2022). "Brandon Khela becomes first British South Asian baller to sign a pro deal at Birmingham City". Versus. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  32. ^ a b "Games played by Brandon Khela in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  33. ^ "Games played by Brandon Khela in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
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