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'''Brandon Singh Khela''' (born 19 January 2005) is an English footballer for [[Birmingham City F.C]]. In 2022, Khela became the first [[British South Asian]] to sign a professional contract with the club.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Birmingham City: Brandon Khela becomes first British South Asian to sign pro deal at club |work=Sky Sports News |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/12637566/birmingham-city-brandon-khela-becomes-first-british-south-asian-to-sign-pro-deal-at-club}}</ref> |
'''Brandon Singh Khela''' (born 19 January 2005) is an English footballer for [[EFL Championship]] club [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]. In 2022, Khela became the first [[British South Asian]] to sign a professional contract with the club.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Birmingham City: Brandon Khela becomes first British South Asian to sign pro deal at club |work=Sky Sports News |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/12637566/birmingham-city-brandon-khela-becomes-first-british-south-asian-to-sign-pro-deal-at-club}}</ref> |
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==Early life and career== |
==Early life and career== |
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Revision as of 12:50, 2 August 2023
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Brandon Singh Khela | ||
| Date of birth | 19 January 2005 | ||
| Place of birth | Coventry, England | ||
| Position(s) | Central Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Birmingham City | ||
| Number | 27 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2014–2020 | Birmingham City Academy | ||
| 2020–2021 | Birmingham City U18 | ||
| 2022–2023 | Birmingham City U23 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023- | Birmingham City | 0 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2022 | England U17 | 2 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 August 2023 | |||
Brandon Singh Khela (born 19 January 2005) is an English footballer for EFL Championship club Birmingham City. In 2022, Khela became the first British South Asian to sign a professional contract with the club.[1]
Early life and career
Khela grew up in a Sikh family in Birmingham and was introduced to football at a young age by his father. He attended Arden Academy in Solihull. [2]
Career
Khela signed a two-year professional deal with Birmingham City FC in May 2021 after impressing the coaching staff with his performances in the academy. 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.[3]
Under-18s Lead Coach, Martyn Olorenshaw said that "he backs up these attributes with serious talent, being a technically gifted midfield player who likes to create from central areas and also has an eye for goal, with such ability recently earning him international recognition."[4]
During the previous season, Brandon Khela played in 14 league matches for Martyn Olorenshaw's team and eight times for Steve Spooner's development squad. As a result of his performances, he was selected to be a part of Lee Bowyer's matchday squad for the team's trip to Stoke City in February. [5]
International career
In May 2022, he was called up for England U17's to face Norway and USA in away matches.[6]
Personal life
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.[7]
In April 2023, Brandon and his brother Reiss (who is an academy player at Leicester City F.C) spoke at a Vaisakhi event hosted by the FA at Wembley Stadium.[8]
Influence on British Asian footballers
Khela's signing with Birmingham City FC has been recognised as a historic moment in British football and a source of inspiration for young footballers of South Asian descent.[9][10] He has stated he wants to be a role model for British South Asians in football. [11]
See also
References
- ^ "Birmingham City: Brandon Khela becomes first British South Asian to sign pro deal at club". Sky Sports News.
- ^ "Brandon Khela Becomes First British Sikh to sign for Birmingham City FC". BritAsiaTv.
- ^ "Birmingham City teen takes step closer to a 'momentous occasion'". Birmingham Live.
The 17-year-old has signed a professional contract having made progress during the first year of his scholarship in which he played for the Under-18s, U23s and even made the bench for the Championship fixture against Stoke City.
- ^ "Blues are delighted to announce that Brandon Khela has signed a professional contract with the Football Club". Birmingham City F.C.
He backs up these attributes with serious talent, being a technically gifted midfield player who likes to create from central areas and also has an eye for goal, with such ability recently earning him international recognition.
- ^ "Brandon Khela wants to be a role model for British South Asians in football". Birmingham City FC.
- ^ "Who is Brandon Khela? The first British South Asian who signed professional contract at Birmingham City". Eastern Eye.
- ^ "The Sikh footballers making a name in the game". BBC.
- ^ "Wembley played host to an open iftar for Ramadan and Vaisakhi celebration this month". The FA.
- ^ "Brandon Khela Becomes First British South Asian Baller to Sign a Pro Deal at Birmingham City". Versus.
- ^ "'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.
- ^ "Brandon Khela wants to be a role model for British South Asians in football". Birmingham City FC.
 | This article needs additional or more specific categories. (May 2023) |