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.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nicoli Davion Malyk Brathwaite | ||
| Date of birth | 24 December 2000 | ||
| Place of birth | Bridgetown, Barbados | ||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Progresul Ezeriș | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2009–2016 | Kickstart FC | ||
| 2016–2018 | Leyton Orient | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2023 | Paradise FC | ||
| 2023– | Progresul Ezeriș | ||
| International career‡ | |||
| 2018– | Barbados | 13 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:43, 13 March 2023 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19:43, 13 March 2023 (UTC) | |||
Club career edit
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.[1] He was originally spotted by the club in Barbados during a showcase jointly organized by the Barbados Football Association and Crystal Palace.[2]
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.[1][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.[1] 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.[1] 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]
International career edit
Brathwaite made his senior international debut on 29 August 2019 in a friendly against Cuba.[8]
International career statistics edit
- As of match played 9 June 2022.[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 |
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Behind The Goal Lines: Nicoli Brathwaite". Barbados Football Association. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ Gilkes, Renaldo. "Kickstart Rush and Wotton football clubs received British donations". Loop News. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Footballers provided with opportunity". University of the West Indies. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ "PROMISING BAJAN FOOTBALLER TRAVELS TO ARGENTINA FOR A PREMIER LEAGUE TRYOUT". The Bajan Reporter. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ Gilkes, Renaldo. "Ellerton and Paradise book semifinal spots after extra time thrillers". Loop News. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ ""Edjouma de Ezeriș"! Echipa din Liga 3 care face transferuri cu nume: au semnat și Piquionne și Brathwaite" (in Romanian). sport.ro. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ "Bajan footballer signs to club in Romania". Loop News. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ a b "NFT profile". National Football Teams. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
External links edit
- Nicoli Brathwaite at National-Football-Teams.com
- Nicoli Brathwaite at Soccerway
- Nicoli Brathwaite at Global Sports Archive
- Barbados FA profile