Rayan (footballer, born 2006)

Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha (born 3 August 2006), known simply as Rayan, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a right midfielder or forward for Premier League club Bournemouth and the Brazil national team.

Source: Wikipedia

Article

Rayan (footballer, born 2006)

Club career

Vasco da Gama

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Rayan joined Vasco da Gama at the age of six. He established a name for himself as a prolific goal-scorer, scoring 280 goals by the age of eleven. He continued this form into Vasco's under-17 team, scoring 29 goals in 34 games in 2022, catching the eye of Spanish side Barcelona.

In (/wiki/2023CRVascodaGamaseason), Rayan made his professional debut at age 16, becoming the youngest player to play for Vasco da Gama's professional team in the 21st century. He came on as a substitute in the second half of the 1–1 draw against Audax in the Campeonato Carioca. In the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, he scored his first goal for the professional team in a 2–1 defeat against Internacional at Estádio Beira-Rio. In (/wiki/2025CRVascodaGamaseason), Rayan gained more playing time in the starting lineup with the arrival of coach Fernando Diniz. He helped Vasco reach the final of the Copa do Brasil, scoring one goal and initiating the play that led to the other goal in the semi-finals against rivals Fluminense. Rayan finished the season receiving the Best Newcomer Award for the (/wiki/2025CampeonatoBrasileiroSérieA) Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, and was named to the Team of the Year in the 2025 Copa do Brasil.

On 12 December 2025, Rayan signed a new contract with Vasco da Gama until December 2028.

Bournemouth

On 27 January 2026, Rayan signed for Premier League club Bournemouth until June 2031. The transfer was reported to be worth £24.7 million, including £5.6m in potential add-ons. He made his debut as a substitute in an 2–0 away win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 31 January, assisting Alex Scott for Bournemouth's second goal. He made his first start for the club the following week on 7 February, where he scored the equalising goal against Aston Villa in a 1–1 home draw. His second goal came in the next match on 10 February, scoring a headed goal to help secure a 2–1 away win against Everton. Hence, he became the third teenager in Premier League history to register a goal or assist in each of his first three appearances, following Robbie Keane in 1999 and Anthony Martial in 2015.

International career

Rayan (footballer, born 2006)

Rayan was called up to the Brazil under-17 squad for friendlies against Chile and Paraguay in 2022; he scored twice in four games.

On 16 March 2026, Rayan earned his first call-up to the Brazil national team for friendlies against France and Croatia.

Personal life

Rayan (footballer, born 2006)

Rayan's father, Valkmar, also played for Vasco da Gama, representing the club as a defender between 1995 and 2000.

Career statistics

Club

<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Season</th><th>League</th><th>State league</th><th>National cup</th><th>Continental</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Division</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td></tr><tr><td>Vasco da Gama</td><td>2023</td><td>Série A</td><td>6</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>8</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Série A</td><td>24</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>33</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Série A</td><td>34</td><td>14</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>12</td><td>5</td><td>8</td><td>1</td><td>57</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>2026</td><td>Série A</td><td>—</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>1</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>64</td><td>16</td><td>10</td><td>3</td><td>17</td><td>5</td><td>8</td><td>1</td><td>99</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>Bournemouth</td><td>2025–26</td><td>Premier League</td><td>7</td><td>2</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>7</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Career total</td><td>71</td><td>18</td><td>10</td><td>3</td><td>17</td><td>5</td><td>8</td><td>1</td><td>106</td><td>27</td></tr></tbody></table>

Honours

Rayan (footballer, born 2006)

• South American U-20 Championship: (/wiki/2025SouthAmericanU-20Championship)

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Best Newcomer: 2025 • Copa do Brasil top scorer: (/wiki/2025CopadoBrasil) (5 goals)