Caption: Raphael in Adelaide City’s home kit.
Solomon Islands International, Raphael Le’ai officially signed a new contract with the Australian National Premier League (NPL) team, Adelaide FC.
The 20-year-old signed the deal on June 1st, 2024 putting him as the second Solomon Islander after Micah Le’a;afa in 2023 to undergo the Player Performance Project (PPP) which made it possible following the end of his contract with FK Velež Mostar on May 31st.
PPP Coach, Joshua James confirmed these to SIFF Media.
“Rapha signed a contract with Adelaide City on the 1st of June until the remainder of the season which ends in September 2024,” James confirmed.
“He is now focused on training, playing as many matches as possible, and extra sessions with PPP knowing that good performances in the NPL will create more future pathways.
The PPP program was known for supporting, and bringing Pacific Islanders to Australia – helping them to progress through the local NPL and the A-League.
Vanuatu’s Brian Kaltak was a living testimony of the project, having facilitated his contract from the NPL side, FK Beograd then to Central Coast Mariners back in 2022.
“Since we started the initiative back in 2022, we have worked with nine national team players from both Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands,” James explained.
“We’ve built a strong Pacific Community to support these players and their transition is much more welcoming.
Adelaide City FC, known as the “Juventus of NPL” due to its Italian heritage, and the project sees Rapha as a key project following the successful transition of Vanuatu’s Brian Kaltak from the NPL to the A-League’s Central Coast Mariners in 2022.
“I’ve had a strong connection to the Solomon Islands for a very long time, having grown up playing Futsal with Elliot Ragomo & Jack Wetney at Dural Warriors in Sydney.
Raphael will return on Sunday to join the Solomon Islands national team for the OFC Nations Cup 2024 in Vanuatu.
-SIFF MEDIA
