Rafiq Khaleel Explained

Rafiq Khaleel
Fullname:Rafiq Salah-Edine Khaleel[1]
Birth Date:24 February 2003
Birth Place:Camden, England
Height:1.77m (05.81feet)
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Crawley Town
Clubnumber:27
Youthclubs1:Cheshunt
Years1:2020–
Clubs1:Crawley Town
Caps1:22
Goals1:1
Years2:2021
Clubs2:Kings Langley (loan)
Caps2:2
Goals2:0
Years3:2022
Clubs3:Gosport Borough (loan)
Caps3:2
Goals3:0
Club-Update:22:15, 21 August 2024 (UTC)

Rafiq Salah-Edine Khaleel (born 24 February 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Crawley Town.

Early and personal life

Khaleel was born in Camden, and is of Moroccan descent.[2]

Career

He played youth football for Camden Elite and Cheshunt.[3] [4] On 28 February 2020, Khaleel signed for League Two club Crawley Town on a two-and-a-half-year deal.[5] [6] He made his debut for the club on 13 October 2020 as a second-half substitute for Samuel Matthews in a 2–1 EFL Trophy defeat to Arsenal U21, before making his full debut the following month in a 2–0 home victory over Ipswich Town, again in the EFL Trophy. He joined Premier League side West Ham United on a trial spell in April 2021.

In November 2021, he joined Southern League Premier Division South club Kings Langley on loan until January 2022.[7] He made his debut as a 63rd minute substitute in a 2–1 win over Hayes & Yeading on 27 November 2021. He made 2 appearances on loan at the club. On 1 February 2022, Khaleel joined Southern League Premier Division South side Gosport Borough on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[8] He made his debut for the club as a substitute in their 1–0 win away to Hendon later that day.[9]

On 30 December 2022, Khaleel made his first league appearance for Crawley as a substitute in a 3–1 defeat to Stevenage. He was given his first start for the club in the first match the following month by new manager Scott Lindsey in a 3–2 win over Salford City.[10] He scored his first goal for the club on 21 March 2023 with an 82nd-minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Doncaster Rovers.[11] After making 14 league appearances during the 2022–23 season, Khaleel signed a new two-year contract in June 2023.[12]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Crawley Town2020–21League Two0000002020
2021–22League Two0000001010
2022–23League Two141000030171
2023–24League Two1000001121
Total151000060222
Kings Langley (loan)2021–22[13] Southern League Premier Division South20000020
Gosport Borough (loan)2021–22Southern League Premier Division South20000020
Career total191000060262

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 11 September 2020 . Notification of shirt numbers: Crawley Town . 13 October 2020 . English Football League . 24.
  2. Web site: 28 April 2021. Stenning. Adam. Crawley youngster goes on trial with Premier League side. The Argus. 8 May 2021.
  3. News: Barnett . Steve . 26 June 2015 . Camden Elite come from behind to clinch cup win against Liverpool . en-gb . Islington Tribune . 10 November 2020.
  4. 1233448141833351168 . cyfcu16eja . Good luck Raf...good to see one of our ex players pushing on. . Cheshunt U17(U18) EJA 19/20 . 28 February 2020 . 13 October 2020.
  5. Web site: 28 February 2020 . Crawley Town sign young midfielder . 28 February 2020 . Crawley and Horley Obserber . en.
  6. Web site: Gadsdon . Sam . 28 February 2020 . Reds sign midfielder Rafiq Salah-Edine . 28 February 2020 . crawleytownfc.com . Crawley Town F.C..
  7. Web site: Pole . Matt . 29 November 2021 . Crawley Town youngster departs on short-term loan . 29 November 2021 . Crawley and Horley Observer . en.
  8. Web site: Young duo head out on loan . crawleytownfc.com . Crawley Town F.C. . 1 February 2022 . 1 February 2022.
  9. Web site: Mason . Lewis . 2 February 2022 . Former West Ham triallist and Crawley Town starlet shows some encouraging early signs on Gosport Borough loan bow . 5 February 2022 . The News . en.
  10. Web site: Crawley Town 3-2 Salford City. BBC Sport. 8 August 2023. 28 January 2023.
  11. Web site: Scott Lindsey hails Crawley Town fans and Rafiq Khaleel after draw against Doncaster Rovers. SussexWorld. 8 August 2023. 22 March 2023. Sam. Morton.
  12. Web site: Rafiq Khaleel: Crawley Town midfielder signs new two-year contract. BBC Sport. 8 August 2023. 9 June 2023.
  13. Web site: Raf Khaleel . 29 November 2021 . www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk . Aylesbury United F.C..