Kelly N'Mai

Kelly Harmani N'Mai (born 1 May 2004) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a midfielder for Salford City. A product of Salford's academy, he made his senior debut in 2021.

Kelly N'Mai
Personal information
Full nameKelly Harmani N'Mai[1]
Date of birth (2004-05-01) 1 May 2004 (age 20)
Place of birthNetherlands
Position(s)Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Salford City
Youth career
2020–Salford City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2021–Salford City24(3)
2022–2023Warrington Rylands (loan)19(6)
2023Chester (loan)3(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:55, 29 January 2024 (UTC)

Career

Born in Netherlands, N'Mai began playing football at an early age, and was scouted by Ajax.[2] After moving to the United Kingdom with his family, he had trials for both Manchester United and Manchester City, before joining Salford City in 2020.[2] N'Mai made his professional debut on 28 August 2021, coming on as an 85th minute substitute for Conor McAleny in Salford's 3–0 EFL League Two win against Newport County, their first win of the season.[3] He started his first game for the club in an away fixture against Scunthorpe United in November, and signed his first professional contract the same month, a deal lasting until 2023.[2]

On 29 September 2022, N'Mai joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Warrington Rylands on an initial one-month loan deal.[4] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat to Lancaster City on 11 October,[5] and on 26 November scored a brace to secure a comeback victory against Stalybridge Celtic, coming on as a substitute to turn the game around for Rylands,[6] securing the clubs' first away win in two months.[7] In January 2023, N'Mai's loan was extended further.[8] In March, N'Mai stepped up a division when he was loaned to National League North team Chester until the end of the season.[9] In May, he featured as a trialist for the academy of Manchester United in a fixture at the Trafford Training Centre against Leicester City's academy.[10]

Following injuries to Connor McLennan, Conor McAleny, and Luke Bolton at the beginning of the 2023–24 season, N'Mai was selected to start in a 2–1 home win against Newport, with his performance being recognised with the Man of the Match award.[11]

In July 2024, N'Mai signed a new two-year contract with Salford City.[12]

Career statistics

As of match played 22 April 2024
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Salford City2021–22League Two7010002[a]0100
2022–23League Two0000001[a]010
2023–24League Two27320102[a]0323
Total353301050433
Warrington Rylands (loan)2022–23[13]NPL Premier Division196001[b]0206
Chester (loan)2022–23National League North31000031
Career total56103010606610

References