It is now official, Raphael Lea’i is now a professional player! The Solomon Islands attacker has signed a deal with FK Velež Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina first-tier division, making him the first senior player ever from Solomon Islands to sign a contract in European football.
“Football club Velež Mostar informs all its members, fans and friends of the club that Raphael Ohanua Lea’i Jr. has officially became a new player of our Club. In the presence of the director of the Velež Football Club, Sanjin Alagić, on Friday, in the official premises of the Club, and after a successful trial in which he met the criteria of Velež’s professional staff“, said the club in its official statement.
It is known the player signed a contract until May, 2024 with an option to extend the deal for another year, as stated also in press release by the Bosnian club. Lea’i had player previously friendly matches for the club and also started the last of them against FK Igman Konjic, also a first-tier team in the country.
Oceania Football Center 
FORZA VELEZ Red Army -Solomon Island
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Congratulations and all the best. By the way, Velež is Bosnian-Herzegovinian club, not only Bosnian.
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Congratulation Raphael and wish you all the best in your new football career. God bless.
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