Sullay Kaikai

Kaikai started his career at Crystal Palace when he was fifteen.{{cite news|title=Premier League: Tony Pulis backing teenager Sullay Kaikai to make the grade|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11706/9046803/premier-league-tony-pulis-backing-teenager-sullay-kaikai-to-make-the-grade|publisher=Sky Sports|date=1 December 2013|access-date=29 December 2014}} In May 2013, his goal against Liverpool the previous August won the League Football Education Goal of the Season award.{{cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2013/june/kaikai-wins-goal-of-the-season-award/ |title=Kaikai Wins Goal of the Season Award |publisher=Crystal Palace F.C. |access-date=29 December 2014 |date=12 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229194849/https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2013/june/kaikai-wins-goal-of-the-season-award/ |archive-date=29 December 2014 }}

On 7 February 2014, Kaikai joined League One side Crawley Town on an initial one-month loan along with Hiram Boateng.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26086686 | title=Crawley: Crystal Palace duo Boateng and Kaikai join on loan | work=BBC News | access-date=26 February 2014}} He made his senior debut on 25 February when he came on as a substitute for Andy Drury in the 33rd minute of a 1–1 draw at Swindon Town.{{cite news|title=Swindon Town 1–1 Crawley Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25817497|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 February 2014|access-date=29 December 2014}} On 7 March, he extended his loan with Crawley until 5 April.{{cite web|title=Palace duo extend stay |url=http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/palace-duo-loan-extended-1405019.aspx |work=Crawley Town FC |date=7 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229194435/http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/palace-duo-loan-extended-1405019.aspx |archive-date=29 December 2014 }} After making five appearances for the club, two being starts, Kaikai returned to his parent club upon expiry of his loan spell.{{cite web|url=http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/brentford-a-connolly-preview-1471849.aspx |title=Conns: Time to roll our sleeves up |publisher=Crawley Town F.C. |access-date=29 December 2014 |date=7 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229195444/http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/brentford-a-connolly-preview-1471849.aspx |archive-date=29 December 2014 }}

On 24 September 2014, Kaikai made his Crystal Palace debut in the third round of the League Cup, replacing Jonathan Williams in the 80th minute of the match against Newcastle United at Selhurst Park. He equalised in added time to send the game into extra time, which the Eagles lost 2–3.{{cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2014/september/warnock-makes-11-changes-for-toon-tie/ |title=Warnock Makes 11 Changes For Toon Tie |publisher=Crystal Palace F.C. |access-date=29 December 2014 |date=24 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229201024/https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2014/september/warnock-makes-11-changes-for-toon-tie/ |archive-date=29 December 2014 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2014/september/report-crystal-palace-2-3-newcastle-united-aet/ |title=Report: Crystal Palace 2–3 Newcastle United (AET) |date=24 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229201029/https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2014/september/report-crystal-palace-2-3-newcastle-united-aet/ |archive-date=29 December 2014 }}

On 27 November 2014, Kaikai joined League Two club Cambridge United, on loan until 3 January 2015.{{cite web|title=Kaikai Joins Cambridge on Loan |url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2014/november/kaikai-joins-cambridge-on-loan/ |publisher=Crystal Palace F.C. |date=27 November 2014 |access-date=28 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229200104/https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2014/november/kaikai-joins-cambridge-on-loan/ |archive-date=29 December 2014 }} Two days later, Kaikai made his debut for the club, assisting Liam Hughes in a 2–1 win over AFC Wimbledon at the Kingsmeadow Stadium.{{cite news|title=Wimbledon 1 – 2 Cambridge United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30156382|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 November 2014|access-date=29 December 2014}} Kaikai scored his first goal of his loan on 16 December in the FA Cup second round replay, the only goal of a win at Mansfield Town.{{cite news|title=Mansfield Town 0 – 1 Cambridge United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30390259|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 December 2014|access-date=29 December 2014}} He signed his first professional contract with Palace on 29 December 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2012/december/gray-and-kaikai-sign-professional-deals/ |title=Gray and Kaikai Sign Professional Deals |publisher=Crystal Palace F.C. |access-date=29 December 2014 |date=24 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229194412/https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2012/december/gray-and-kaikai-sign-professional-deals/ |archive-date=29 December 2014 }}

On 16 January 2015, Kaikai's loan at Cambridge was extended until the end of the season.{{cite web|title=Kaikai Extends Cambridge Stay|work=Crystal Palace Official Website|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2015/january/kaikai-extends-cambridge-stay/|date=16 January 2015|access-date=16 January 2015}} The next day, he scored his first league goal, in a 4–0 win over Newport County at the Abbey Stadium.{{cite news|title=Cambridge United 4 – 0 Newport County|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30758877|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 January 2015|access-date=7 July 2015}} Kaikai scored a brace on 18 April, in a 3–1 home win over Mansfield.{{cite news|title=Cambridge United 3–1 Mansfield Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32262256|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 April 2015|access-date=7 July 2015}} He returned to Palace in the first week of May.{{cite web|title= Kaikai Happy To Be Back|website=cpfc.co.uk|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2015/may/video-kaikai-happy-to-be-back/|date=6 May 2015|access-date=8 May 2015}} He won Palace's Vice-President's Young Player or the Year Award, and the Development Player of the Year Award on 13 May.{{cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2015/may/kaikai-picks-up-development-acolade/|title=Kaikai Picks Up Development {{sic|nolink=y|Acolade}}|publisher=Crystal Palace F.C.|date=13 May 2015|access-date=7 July 2015}} Ahead of the Premier League match against Liverpool three days later, Kaikai was among several youngsters to make a trip, but was not included either in the starting line-up or substitution bench.{{cite news|title=Football – No concerns for Pardew's Eagles|url=https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-concerns-pardews-eagles-131418946--sow.html|publisher=Yahoo! Eurosport|date=15 May 2015|access-date=7 July 2015}}

The following season, on 17 September 2015, Kaikai joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on a four-month loan deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34283399|title=Sullay Kaikai: Shrewsbury Town sign Crystal Palace midfielder|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 September 2015|access-date=17 September 2015}} He made his debut as a 67th-minute substitute for Mat Sadler in a 1–0 home defeat to Crewe Alexandra two days later,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34230015|title=Shrewsbury 0 Crewe 1|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 September 2015|access-date=3 November 2015}} and got his first goals for the club in a home victory against Colchester United on 10 October, scoring twice to put his team 3–2 and then eventually 4–2 ahead after they had trailed by two goals at half time.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34431519|title=Shrewsbury 4 Colchester 2|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 October 2015|access-date=3 November 2015}} After scoring in subsequent matches against Scunthorpe United and Bury, giving him four goals in five appearances, he won the PFA Fans Player of the Month award for October 2015 for League One.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10052891/pfa-player-of-the-month-winners-anthony-martial-ross-wallace-george-moncur-and-graham-carey|title=Alexis Sanchez claims PFA Fans' Player of the Month as winners announced|publisher=Sky Sports|date=3 November 2015|access-date=3 November 2015}}

Kaikai was recalled to cover for injuries at his parent club on 23 December,{{cite web|url=http://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/article/sullay-kaikai-recalled-2866242.aspx|title=Sullay Kaikai recalled|publisher=Shrewsweb|date=23 December 2015|access-date=23 December 2015}} rejoining Shrewsbury for a further loan deal until the end of the season in March 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/article/sullay-kaikai-back-at-shrewsbury-town-on-loan-2981666.aspx|title=Sullay returns|publisher=Shrewsweb|date=1 March 2016|access-date=1 March 2016}} He scored four times in the first four games of his second loan, including two first-half strikes in a 2–1 draw at Bury on 19 March which earned him a place in The Football League's Team of the Week.{{cite news|title=Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2016/sky-bet-football-league-team-of-the-week-3020000.aspx|access-date=21 March 2016|publisher=The Football League|date=21 March 2016}} He finished the season as Shrewsbury's top scorer, with 12 goals, before being recalled again by his parent club on 3 May.{{cite web|url=http://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/article/sullay-returns-3093148.aspx|title=Sullay Returns|publisher=Shrewsweb|date=3 May 2016|access-date=3 May 2016}}

Kaikai made his Premier League debut on 15 May in the last game of the season, replacing Jordon Mutch at half time in a 4–1 loss at Southampton. He took the corner kick from which Jason Puncheon scored the Eagles{{'}} goal.{{cite news|title=Report: Southampton 4–1 Crystal Palace|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2016/may/report-southampton-4-1-crystal-palace/|access-date=15 May 2016|publisher=Crystal Palace F.C.|date=15 May 2016}} He was handed the number 25 shirt to wear for the 2016–17 season, switching from his previous squad number 43.{{cite web|url=http://www.cpfc.co.uk/team/player-profile/sullay-kaikai/25|title=Sullay Kaikai: Crystal Palace Player Profile|website=www.cpfc.co.uk|publisher=Crystal Palace F.C.|access-date=20 August 2016}}

On deadline day, 31 August 2016, Kaikai joined Brentford on a season-long loan and was given the number 25 shirt.{{cite web|url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/sullay-kaikai-joins-brentford-on-season-long-loan-from-crystal-palace-3284011.aspx|title=Sullay Kaikai joins Brentford from Crystal Palace|website=www.brentfordfc.co.uk|publisher=Brentford F.C.|access-date=31 August 2016}} He made his debut against Palace's fierce rivals Brighton & Hove Albion replacing Lewis Macleod in the 80th minute of a 2–0 away victory on 10 September.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37263404|title=Brighton 0–2 Brentford|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 September 2016|access-date=10 September 2016}} Four days later he provided an 88th-minute assist for John Egan as Brentford drew 1–1 with Aston Villa.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37293369|title=Aston Villa 1–1 Brentford|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 September 2016|access-date=14 September 2016}} Kaikai scored his first goal for the Bees in a 3–1 loss at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 24 September.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37392408|title=Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–1 Brentford|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 September 2016|access-date=24 September 2016}} He scored both of Brentford's goals a 2–2 draw with Cardiff City on Boxing Day, after coming on as a second-half substitute,[https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38360565 Brentford 2–2 Cardiff City] - BBC Sport, 26 December 2016 before being recalled by Crystal Palace on 2 January 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/sullay-kaikai-recalled-loan-spell-brentford-crystal-palace-3495945.aspx|title=Sullay Kaikai returns to Crystal Palace|publisher=Brentford F.C.|date=2 January 2017|access-date=2 January 2017}}

On 26 January 2018, following four appearances for Palace in the first half of the season, Kaikai moved across South London to join Charlton Athletic on loan until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2018/january/sullay-kaikai-moves-on-loan-to-charlton/|title=Sullay Kaikai Moves On Loan To Charlton|website=cpfc.co.uk|date=26 January 2018|access-date=26 January 2018}} He made his league debut for them on 3 February in a 3–2 loss against Oxford United as a 69th-minute substitute for Stephy Mavididi.

On 21 January 2019, Kaikai joined Dutch club NAC Breda on a permanent transfer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2019/january/sullay-kaikai-joins-nac-breda/|title=Sullay Kaikai Joins NAC Breda|website=Crystal Palace F.C.|language=en-gb|access-date=21 January 2019}} He made his Eredivisie debut four days later, as a 65th-minute substitute for Giovanni Korte in a 1–1 home draw with ADO Den Haag.{{cite news |title=Kaikai makes Eredivisie debut as NAC Breda snatch draw |url=https://footballsierraleone.net/2019/01/26/kaikai-makes-eredivisie-debut-as-nac-breda-snatch-draw/ |access-date=27 March 2019 |publisher=Football Sierra Leone |date=26 January 2019}} He made six appearances in the Netherlands, all but one from the bench.{{cite news |last1=Potter |first1=Jacob |title=Blackpool register interest in signing 23 y/o striker |url=https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/blackpool-register-interest-in-signing-23-y-o-striker/ |access-date=3 July 2019 |work=Football League World |date=2 July 2019}}

In July 2019, Kaikai terminated his contract with Breda and signed for League One side Blackpool on an initial two-year contract with an option of a further year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48860321|title=Sullay Kaikai: Blackpool sign ex-Crystal Palace winger after NAC Breda exit|date=3 July 2019|publisher=BBC|access-date=3 July 2019}} He was given a starting debut in their 2–0 victory over Bristol Rovers at Bloomfield Road on 3 August,[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49135794 Blackpool 2–0 Bristol Rovers] - BBC Sport, 3 August 2019 and his first goal in a 2–2 draw away at Gillingham 17 days later.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49326903 Gillingham 2-2 Blackpool] - BBC Sport, 20 August 2019 It was his first goal since 26 December 2016, when he scored both of Brentford's goals in a home draw with Cardiff City in the Championship.

On 15 July 2021, Kaikai joined League One side Wycombe Wanderers on a free transfer, signing a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwfc.com/news/2021/july/sullay-signs/|title=Sullay signs!|publisher=Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|date=15 July 2021|access-date=15 July 2021}}

On 26 January 2023, Kaikai joined Milton Keynes Dons on a free transfer until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64410561|title=Sullay Kaikai: MK Dons sign Wycombe Wanderers winger|publisher=BBC|date=26 January 2023|accessdate=26 January 2023}} After making 14 appearances and scoring 2 goals, and despite the offer of a new contract, Kaikai was one of nine players released by Milton Keynes Dons following their relegation to EFL League Two.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mkdons.com/news/2023/may/retained-list-2023/ |title=Retained list |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons |date=20 May 2023 |access-date=11 July 2023 }}

On 24 July 2023, Kaikai returned to League One, joining Cambridge United on a one-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/2023/july/sullay-kaikai-cambridge-united-new-signing-sky-bet-league-one-efl-english-football-league-july-2023|title=Kaikai joins U's ranks|website=www.cambridgeunited.com|date=24 July 2023|accessdate=26 June 2024}} On 28 June 2024, Kaikai signed a new one-year contract.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c511ydj249po| title=Kaikai signs new one-year deal with Cambridge| publisher=BBC Sport| date=28 June 2024| access-date=17 April 2025}}

On 15 June 2021, Kaikai made his debut for Sierra Leone in a 1–0 victory over Benin in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match.{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/31185/Sierra_Leone_Benin.html|title=Sierra Leone vs. Benin (1:0)|website=national-football-teams.com|date=15 June 2021|accessdate=15 July 2021}}

In December 2021, he was named in the Sierra Leone squad for the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations as the nation prepared for their first appearance at the competition since 1996.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/59828279|title=Afcon 2021: Ex-England defender Steven Caulker named in Sierra Leone squad|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 December 2021|accessdate=11 January 2022}}

Kaikai was born in the London Borough of Southwark to parents hailing from Sierra Leone.{{Cite news

| title = Next Generation Series

| url = http://sierraleonefootball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1426%3Anext-generation-series&catid=1%3Alatest-news&Itemid=1

| publisher = Sierra Leone football

| access-date = 17 October 2014}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36357544|title=Crystal Palace's Sullay Kaikai undecided over Sierra Leone|date=23 May 2016|work=BBC Sport|access-date=17 December 2018}}

{{updated|match played 3 May 2025}}

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

:Scores and results list Sierra Leone's goal tally first.{{NFT player|id=83050|accessdate=15 October 2021}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Soccerbase}}
• {{Soccerway|sullay-kaikai/329804}}
• {{NFT|83050}}

{{Cambridge United F.C. squad}}

{{Sierra Leone squad 2021 Africa Cup of Nations}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaikai, Sullay}}

Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:Naturalized citizens of Sierra Leone

Category:Sierra Leonean men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Sierra Leone men's international footballers

Category:Sierra Leonean expatriate men's footballers

Category:Sierra Leonean expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands

Category:English men's footballers

Category:English people of Sierra Leonean descent

Category:Brentford F.C. players

Category:Cambridge United F.C. players

Category:Crawley Town F.C. players

Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players

Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players

Category:Charlton Athletic F.C. players

Category:NAC Breda players

Category:Blackpool F.C. players

Category:Wycombe Wanderers F.C. players

Category:Premier League players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Eredivisie players

Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Southwark

Category:People from Southwark

Category:Black British sportsmen

Category:English expatriate men's footballers

Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands

Category:2021 Africa Cup of Nations players

Category:Milton Keynes Dons F.C. players

Category:21st-century English sportsmen