Imran Kayani
English-born Pakistani footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Imran Shahid Kayani (Urdu: عمران شاہد کیانی; born 24 December 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Isthmian League South Central Division club Kingstonian. Born in England, he represents the Pakistan national team.[1]
|
Kayani playing for Whitehawk in 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Imran Shahid Kayani | ||
| Date of birth | 24 December 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | Chertsey, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Kingstonian | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2020–2021 | Sutton United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2021 | Sutton United | 0 | (0) |
| 2020 | → Bedfont Sports (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2021 | Bedfont Sports | 1 | (0) |
| 2021–2023 | Slough Town | 41 | (5) |
| 2021–2022 | → Kings Langley (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | → Hartley Wintney (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2023 | → Kingstonian (loan) | 7 | (3) |
| 2023 | → Hanwell Town (loan) | 3 | (1) |
| 2023 | Dover Athletic | 2 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | Whitehawk | 36 | (11) |
| 2024 | Cray Wanderers | 5 | (0) |
| 2024 | Westfield | 7 | (2) |
| 2024-2025 | Whitehawk | 23 | (1) |
| 2025 | Kingstonian | 1 | |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023– | Pakistan | 7 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:01 7 November 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 23:00, 25 March 2025 (UTC) | |||
Club career
Early career
Kayani started as a youth playing for Chelsea Elite from the age of 11 to 16.[2] He also represented the Surrey county, through which Royal Russell offered him a scholarship where he was able to train full time alongside getting his A levels. During this time, he was also selected to represent England Schoolboys where he scored on his debut aganinst Wales.[2][3] Kayani is also listed among the graduates of AF Global Football, a football development organisation.[4]
Sutton United
Upon the completion of his scholarship, Kayani signed for Sutton United youth academy in August 2020.[3]
Bedfont Sports
Kayani gained his first-team experience on loan at Bedfont Sports at the Isthmian League South Central Division, who he also played for in July 2021.[3]
Slough Town
Kayani joined the under-23 side of National League South club Slough Town in August 2021.[5] He made 26 appearances for the club first team in the 2021–22 season, scoring four times. He also scored a hat-trick against Hartley Wintney's U23 while playing for Slough Town under-23 team.[5][6]
Kings Langley (loan)
In December 2021, Kayani joined Southern Football League side Kings Lanley on loan.[3]
Hartley Wintney (loan)
In October 2022, Kayani was loaned to Hartley Wintney, whom he grabbed the club attention when he previously scored a hat trick against them.[5]
Kingstonian (loan)
In February 2023, Kayani joined Isthmian League side Kingstonian on a 28-day loan.[7]
Hanwell Town (loan)
After his short stint at Kingstonian, Kayani joined Hanwell Town. He scored on his debut against Swindon Supermarine in a 1–3 home defeat.[8]
Dover Athletic
In June 2023, Kayani signed for Dover Athletic following his departure from Slough Town.[9][10]
Whitehawk
After his short spell at Dover Athletic, Kayani signed for Isthmian League side Whitehawk in September 2023.[11] He scored on his home debut in a 4–0 victory against Redhill at the 2023–24 FA Cup qualifying rounds.[12] He scored 4 goals in his first three matches.[13] Throughout his stay, Kayani had played 46 times for the Hawks, and scoring fourteen goals, including a hat trick in a four-one win at Kingstonian.[14]
Cray Wanderers & Westfield
In September 2024, Kayani moved to Isthmian League side Cray Wanderers,[14] where he made thirteen total appearances.[15] On 2 November 2024, Kayani moved Isthmian League South Central Division club Westfield based in Surrey,[16] playing eight games and scoring twice.[15]
Return to Whitehawk
On 13 December 2024, Kayani returned to Whitehawk, along with former teammate Rob O'Toole.[15]
After being without a club at the start of the 2025-26 season, Kayani re-signed for Whitehawk in September 2025,[17] but left the club the following month, joining Kingstonian.[18]
International career
In August 2023, Kayani declared his intention to play for Pakistan as it is his country of heritage.[19] Three months later in November 2023, Kayani was called up by the Pakistan national team for the second round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.[1] He made his international debut on 16 November 2023 as a substitute against Saudi Arabia in their 4–0 away defeat.[20]
Personal life
Kayani's family originate from the city of Rawalpindi in Pakistan. He enrolled in Queen Mary University of London in 2021 to complete his bachelor in Computer Science.[21][22]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 25 November 2023
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sutton United | 2020–21 | National League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bedfont Sports (loan) | 2020–21[23] | Isthmian League South Central Division | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Bedfont Sports | 2021–22[24] | Isthmian League South Central Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Slough Town | 2021–22[25] | National League South | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 2[a] | 1 | 18 | 3 | |
| 2022–23[25][26] | National League South | 25 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 1[b] | 0 | 27 | 3 | ||
| Total | 41 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 45 | 6 | ||
| Kings Langley (loan) | 2021–22[25] | SFL Premier Division South | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Hartley Wintney (loan) | 2022–23[25] | SFL Premier Division South | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1[c] | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Kingstonian (loan) | 2022–23[27] | Isthmian League Premier Division | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | |
| Hanwell Town (loan) | 2022–23[25] | SFL Premier Division South | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 1[d] | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
| Dover Athletic | 2023–24[28] | National League South | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Whitehawk | 2023–24[29] | Isthmian League Premier Division | 9 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | 3[e] | 2 | 14 | 6 | |
| Career total | 70 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 82 | 16 | ||
- One appearance and one goal in Berks & Bucks Senior Cup, one appearance in FA Trophy
- Appearance(s) in Berks & Bucks Senior Cup
- Appearance(s) in Middlesex Senior Charity Cup
- One appearance and two goals in Sussex Senior Challenge Cup, two appearances in FA Trophy
International
- As of match played 25 March 2025[30]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 2023 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 7 | 0 | |