Kai Henning: South African Born Striker Joins Spanish La Liga Side From Madrid Based Club
- A South African-born striker has completed a move from a Spanish club to another Madrid-based outfit this January
- The young striker was a regular for his former club last season, which caught the eye of his new team in this transfer window
- Mzansi football fans have shared their thoughts on the Durban-born forward's move to a Spanish La Liga side on social media
Durban-born striker Kai Henning has decided to join another club in Spain in the January transfer window after leaving a Madrid-based side on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Source: Instagram
The young forward has left South Africa before turning a teenager and has been playing for different youth sides of clubs in Europe.
Henning's deal comes after Mamelodi Sundowns forward Thapelo Maseko left the Premier Soccer League giants for a move to Europe, and also Orlando Pirates' young defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi left the Betway Premiership for a move to a Major League Soccer outfit. All these deals happened in the January winter transfer window.
Henning's birth in SA and football career
Henning was born in Durban, South Africa and relocated to Australia at the age of 12 before later heading to the United Kingdom, where his development continued at Steven Gerrard’s academy.
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At just 16, his talent caught the attention of scouts, leading to his recruitment by a prestigious football academy in Liverpool. He quickly progressed to make his U23 National Football Youth League debut and played a role in back-to-back title triumphs in 2023 and 2024.
A regular starter throughout the 2024/2025 season with 73 appearances, he has also gained valuable international experience across five countries, often wearing the captain’s armband. Ambitious and intensely focused, he strives to be a transformative presence in professional football through hard work and constant self-improvement.
The 19-year-old previously had a stint with CD Leganés and has now committed his future to another Spanish club based in Madrid, and would be playing for the club’s C team under the La Liga banner.
Source: Instagram
Henning joins Rayo Vallecano from Leganes
The South African-born forward has completed a major move in the window after securing a deal with Rayo Vallecano.
The young striker shared his excitement online, describing the agreement as his first professional contract with the Madrid-based outfit.
Henning took to his official page on Instagram to confirm his move to Rayo Vallecano by releasing a statement and posting a picture holding the club's jersey after the deal was done.
“Excited to sign my first contract with Rayo Vallecano,” he stated on social media.
Henning's move to Rayo Vallecano sparked mixed reactions from South African football fans on social media.
Katou Katouzzi said:
"He is old enough to get a call-up to U23."
Patalos Toeloz wrote:
"He must be called up by the coach for Bafana Bafana."
Morison Zolani Tatushe shared:
"He's doing a great job. I wonder why SAFA is not sending Scouts to look for South African players abroad."
Broderick Karrim implied:
"As I said, Hugo Broos is toying with us. We have a lot of foreign-based players that can benefit Bafana Bafana, but guess what, they end up playing for Spain and other countries. We have a poor scouting department as SA.
Umxolisi Ngu Mthuthuzeli added:
"I hope that if he is selected and plays for the country, he becomes like Dean Furman and adapts so quickly."
Chiefs, Pirates, Sundowns battle for SA forward
Briefly News also reported that Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are in a transfer battle as they are all interested in snapping up a South African forward.
The three PSL giants were said to be looking for the possibility of signing the winger before the winter transfer window closes.
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Source: Briefly News
