Kai Rhodes relishing opportunity with under-21s

Kai Rhodes is relishing the opportunity to step up an age grade after netting a brace for Swansea City Under-21s in their 5-0 victory against Afan Lido in the second round of the Nathaniel MG Cup.

The 16-year-old scored two and assisted Dan Watts' second-half goal on just his second competitive under-21s' start as the Swans progressed to the third round of the Nathaniel MG Cup. 

Swansea eased past the JD Cymru South side, as Josiah Kallicharan also got on the scoresheet with his first under-21s' goal, while Lido's Jak Carson netted an own goal for the fifth.

Rhodes signed a scholarship prior to the 2025-26 campaign having been at the Swans since under-nine's level, and he's grateful to have been given the opportunity early on in his development to feature for the under-21s in a senior competition.

"For the first goal, I was in an awkward position and I didn't really think it was going to go in! But to score another goal on top of that and get an assist is a great feeling," he said.

"My second goal, it was a great pass from Deacs [Callum Deacon], again, I didn't think I was going to reach the ball but I did and I took my chance.

"These types of games are a lot different to what I'm used to. I'm used to playing teams and players my age, not senior-level players. 

"But these experiences only help me in my development and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to play against people much older than me.

"As a team, I thought the boys were excellent, at both ends of the pitch we worked hard, and got that clean sheet. We're all looking forward to seeing who we'll face in the third round now."