| Nicoli Brathwaite | |
| Fullname: | Nicoli Davion Malyk Brathwaite |
| Birth Date: | 24 December 2000 |
| Birth Place: | Bridgetown, Barbados |
| Height: | 1.79 m |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Currentclub: | Progresul Ezeriș |
| Youthyears1: | 2009–2016 |
| Youthclubs1: | Kickstart FC |
| Youthyears2: | 2016–2018 |
| Youthclubs2: | Leyton Orient |
| Years1: | 2019–2023 |
| Clubs1: | Paradise FC |
| Years2: | 2023– |
| Clubs2: | Progresul Ezeriș |
| Nationalyears1: | 2018– |
| Nationalteam1: | Barbados |
| Nationalcaps1: | 13 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Nationalteam-Update: | 19:43, 13 March 2023 (UTC) |
| Club-Update: | 19:43, 13 March 2023 (UTC) |
Nicoli Davion Malyk Brathwaite (born 24 December 2000) is a Barbadian footballer who plays as a midfielder for ACS Progresul Ezeriș of Romania's Liga III, and the Barbados national team.
Originally a cricketer, Brathwaite began playing football for Kickstart FC at the under-11 level and remained with the club through under-17. In 2016 he traveled to England on a one-year deal with Leyton Orient. After the one year, he was offered a professional contract but it did not materialize because of visa issues. He was originally spotted by the club in Barbados during a showcase jointly organized by the Barbados Football Association and Crystal Palace.[1]
He returned to Barbados and applied for a student visa before returning to England for a two-year sports science programme the following year. While studying, he returned to Leyton Orient, practicing with the under-18 and reserve sides. After his visa was denied again, Brathwaite had a stint with the under-18 and under-23 sides of Charlton Athletic of League One. Again visa issues prevented him from signing a professional contract. Following his exit from Charlton Athletic, he went on trial with Southend United. However, his age and ongoing visa issues prevented his signing for a third time.[2] [3]
In July 2019 Brathwaite was selected to travel to Argentina for a residency with Club Atlético Lanús of the Primera División.[4] Ultimately, the trial was unsuccessful because of his age.[2] He was the first player to participate in the program which resulted from a memorandum of understanding between the University of the West Indies and the governments of Argentina and Barbados.[3] Upon returning to Barbados, Brathwaite joined Paradise FC of the Barbados Premier League.[2] He remained with the club through the 2022 season.[5]
Brathwaite signed for ACS Progresul Ezeriș of Romania's Liga III in February 2023. He was one of a number of additions to the club as it tried to avoid relegation. Another player signed at the time was Loïck Piquionne, son of former French international Frédéric Piquionne.[6] His deal in Romania was Brathwaite's first professional contract.[7]
Brathwaite made his senior international debut on 29 August 2019 in a friendly against Cuba.[8]
| Barbados national team | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals | |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 13 | 0 | |