Kerala’s Rahul makes winning start with Premier League side West Ham in 7s event

Kerala winger Rahul K P made his first appearance in the colours of Premier League club West Ham United in the TST seven-a-side tournament in the United States. Rahul made the starting VII against Brown Ballers FC.

Though the Keralite could not get his name on the scoresheet he entertained with his nimble footwork, helping West Ham post an impressive 3-1 win. The Hammers will later play a team representing Spanish side Villarreal CF and Tenfifteen FC in their Group G games.

Last month, West Ham got Kerala football fans excited by announcing Rahul. The 25-year-old former Kerala Blasters star wore the Hammers' No. 7 shirt against the Brown Ballers.

Rahul, who hails from Thrissur in central Kerala, plays for Odisha FC in the Indian Super League. He spent five seasons with the Blasters.

The TST event is a week-long (June 4 to 9) tournament held in Cary, North Carolina. Some popular clubs field their teams in the event, often comprising invited players or those picked from open tryouts.

AFC Bournemouth, Borussia Dortmund, and Atletico de Madrid are some of the other big clubs that will field teams in the TST tournament. There are 48 teams divided into 12 groups in the event.