Rayan (Born 2006): Age, Net Worth, Salary, Career & Current Team
Rayan is a teenage Brazilian forward who plays for AFC Bournemouth in the English Premier League. Born in 2006 and still just 19 years old, he is one of the youngest players in Brazil’s squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. His rapid rise from Vasco da Gama to the Premier League to the Seleção is one of the most exciting stories in world football right now.
Who is Rayan?
Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha, known simply as Rayan, is a 19-year-old Brazilian forward who plays for AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. He became the youngest player to represent Vasco da Gama’s professional side in the 21st century and has continued to break records at every turn. He made his Brazil debut in March 2026 and is now heading to his first senior World Cup. He is one of the most exciting teenagers in world football.
Early Life and Background
Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha was born on 3 August 2006 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He comes from a footballing family — his father, Valkmar, played as a defender for Vasco da Gama from 1995 to 2000. Growing up in Rio with a father who had professional experience gave Rayan an early exposure to what it takes to make it in the game.
He showed exceptional talent from a very young age, joining Vasco da Gama’s academy at just six years old in 2012. By the age of eleven he had already scored 280 goals in youth football, a number that spoke to both his prolific instinct and the scale of his natural gifts. Rio de Janeiro’s football culture is fierce and competitive, and Rayan thrived in that environment.
Birthplace, family, and youth football journey
Rayan spent over a decade in Vasco da Gama’s youth system, progressing through every age group before breaking into professional football. In 2022 he scored 29 goals in 34 under-17 matches, a remarkable rate that put the football world on notice. His father’s former club gave him the platform he needed, and he made the most of it at every level.
Rayan Personal Info and Profile
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha |
| Date of birth | 3 August 2006 |
| Age | 19 |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Weight | Yet to be confirmed |
| Position | Forward / Winger |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | AFC Bournemouth |
| Jersey number | 37 |
| Weekly salary | approximately £50,000 per week |
| Estimated net worth | approximately $3 million |
Transfer News and Market Value
Rayan signed for AFC Bournemouth on 27 January 2026 in a deal reported to be worth £24.7 million, including £5.6 million in potential add-ons. The transfer was one of the biggest January window deals in Bournemouth’s history and represented a major statement of intent from the Premier League club. The fee reflected the enormous market value already attached to a teenager with limited senior experience.
His rapid impact at Bournemouth, with goals and assists from his very first matches, has only strengthened his market standing. His value is likely to rise significantly as his career develops. A player of his age and ability, thriving in the Premier League, can expect to attract interest from Europe’s top clubs in the years ahead.
Rayan Salary and Net Worth
Rayan’s weekly salary at AFC Bournemouth will be updated soon. His Premier League contract reflects his status as one of the most sought-after young forwards in world football.
His estimated net worth will be updated soon. Both figures will be updated soon as verified information becomes available.
Rayan Club Career
Rayan made his professional debut at Vasco da Gama in 2023, becoming the youngest player to represent the club’s first team in the 21st century. That record alone spoke to the extraordinary speed of his development. He went on to make 74 appearances for Vasco across all competitions, scoring 19 goals and winning multiple individual awards before Bournemouth came calling.
Early clubs and development
Rayan’s entire youth career was spent at Vasco da Gama, where he joined as a six-year-old in 2012. He rose through every age group and became the standout player of his generation at the club. His 2025 season was particularly impressive, with five goals in the Copa do Brasil earning him a place in the tournament’s team of the year and the title of joint top scorer.
He was also named Best Newcomer in the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, recognising his outstanding debut season at the top level of Brazilian football. These awards confirmed what scouts across the world already knew — Rayan was ready for the biggest stage. Bournemouth moved quickly and decisively to sign him in January 2026.
Current club and recent form
Rayan made his Premier League debut on 31 January 2026 as a substitute at Wolverhampton Wanderers, immediately assisting Alex Scott for a goal in a 2-0 win. He made his first start the following week against Aston Villa and scored the equaliser in a 1-1 home draw. He then scored again in his next match against Everton, heading home to secure a 2-1 victory.
He became the third teenager in Premier League history to register a goal or assist in each of his first three matches. He has scored in four consecutive Premier League games and has demonstrated a maturity and composure far beyond his years. Heading into the 2026 World Cup, he is one of Bournemouth’s most important players and one of Brazil’s most exciting young options.
Rayan — Club Career Stats
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–2026 | Vasco da Gama | 74 | 19 | Yet to be confirmed |
| 2026 (Jan–) | AFC Bournemouth | 13 | 5 | Yet to be confirmed |
International Career
Rayan represented Brazil at youth level before earning his senior debut. He made 14 appearances for Brazil under-17, scoring eight goals. He then stepped up to the under-20 level, earning 11 caps and scoring two goals, including a role in Brazil’s 2025 South American U-20 Championship winning squad.
His senior debut came in March 2026, when he was called up to the national team for friendlies against France and Croatia. He made his senior debut against Croatia and impressed enough to secure a place in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad. He is one of the youngest players in the squad and arguably the most exciting new addition to the Brazilian setup alongside Endrick and Vinicius Jr.
Caps, goals, and major tournaments
Rayan’s senior international career has barely begun, but his trajectory at youth level suggests he is well prepared for the demands of the top level. Winning the South American U-20 Championship in 2025 gave him experience of competitive international football at a high level. The 2026 World Cup will be his first senior major tournament and he arrives full of confidence after a superb start to life at Bournemouth.
| National team | Caps | Goals | Tournament involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 1 | 0 | 2026 FIFA World Cup squad |
Honours and Trophies
| Honour | Club / Organisation | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| South American U-20 Championship | Brazil U-20 | 2025 |
| Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Best Newcomer | Individual | 2025 |
| Copa do Brasil Team of the Year | Individual | 2025 |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Rayan is a tall and athletic forward who combines physical presence with quick feet and technical quality. At 1.87 m he is unusually large for a winger, which gives him an advantage in aerial duels and physical contests that wide players at his size rarely have. He can play on the right side or through the centre, and his versatility is a significant asset for any manager.
His goal return at every level of his career shows that finishing is a core part of his game. He scores with his right foot, his left, and his head. His movement inside the box and his ability to get on the end of crosses make him a constant threat. His composure in front of goal, exceptional for a 19-year-old, gives Brazil’s attack an additional dimension.
Position, role, and standout qualities
Rayan’s best position is on the right side of attack, where his ability to cut inside and shoot gives him a natural goalscoring threat. His Premier League debut months showed that he is adaptable and can make an immediate impact at the highest level. For Brazil, he offers pace, power, and goals — a combination that makes him one of the most exciting young forwards at the 2026 World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Rayan and where is he from?
Rayan was born on 3 August 2006 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is 19 years old and holds Brazilian nationality.
What club does Rayan play for?
Rayan plays for AFC Bournemouth in the English Premier League. He signed for the club in January 2026 from Vasco da Gama for a reported fee of £24.7 million.
Is Rayan going to the 2026 World Cup with Brazil?
Yes, Rayan has been included in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He made his senior debut for Brazil in March 2026 and is one of the youngest members of the squad.
What is Rayan’s playing style?
Rayan is a tall, athletic right winger who combines physical presence with technical quality, pace, and a clinical finishing instinct. He is comfortable on either side of the attack and scores with both feet and his head.
What is Rayan’s salary and net worth?
Rayan’s exact weekly salary at Bournemouth and his estimated net worth are not publicly confirmed at this time. Both figures will be updated soon.
Conclusion
Rayan is one of the most extraordinary stories at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A teenager who grew up in his father’s footballing shadow at Vasco da Gama, he has already scored in the Premier League and earned a place in one of the most talented Brazil squads in recent memory. The World Cup may be just the beginning of a career that has all the ingredients to reach the very top of the game.
Check fwctimes.com for updated stats, squad news, and the full FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule throughout the tournament.
