EXCLUSIVE: Sibling EFL Stars Set for Transfer Talks as Nationality Discussions Continue

EFL Sibling Stars Set For Dual Stand-off as Both Nationality and Transfer Talks Heat Up

Football Park understands that Peterborough United midfielder Brandon Khela and younger brother and Leicester City U21 Reiss Khela are both the subject of considerable transfer interest to Malaysia's biggest club and 12-time champions Johor Darul Ta’zim.

Brandon and Reiss, 21 and 19 years old respectively, are also in the midst of deciding which country they would prefer to represent, as both brothers are eligible to play for any one of England, India or Malaysia.

🚨🟢 | EXCLUSIVE: Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim are INTERESTED in signing brothers Brandon Khela (Peterborough United) and Reiss Khela (Leicester City U21s). 👀✍️

Both brothers are also weighing up their international future, with England and Malaysia as options. 🌍🔥 pic.twitter.com/eI66jpfWCY

— Football Park (@thefootballpark) July 31, 2026

Career Crossroads

The Khela brothers have been known throughout the EFL as international trailblazer’s since the earliest days of their career - after signing for Birmingham City in 2022, Brandon became the first British South-Asian ever to sign professional terms with a Championship club.

Though centre-back Reiss is yet to make a senior appearance at Leicester despite playing in the Foxes youth ranks for three years, Brandon has accumulated 85 first team games since debuting for Birmingham in 2022. These have come across loan spells at Ross County and Bradford City, before the midfielder broke into the Peterborough first team last season after a permanent move.

Playing all but six League One games for the Posh last season, and scoring 3 goals, Brandon has now adjusted to the demands of regular senior football, and having also been capped twice at the England U17 level, this youth level playing time could play a major factor in his final nationality decision.

Born in England to a Punjabi family, the two youngsters possess Malaysian heritage through their grandfather, and Brandon’s importance to the Peterborough side during the 2025/26 season has seen discussion about his triple-nationality heat up. Likewise, Reiss has impressed in the youth ranks at Leicester, sparking further debate.

"THAT IS OUT OF THIS WORLD." 🚀

What a goal from Brandon Khela for Birmingham City! 😍😱 pic.twitter.com/3h7T1OD6Sd

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 13, 2024

England is allegedly the first choice of both players, but depending on how they develop in the coming years, as well as their prospects of playing at World Cup or another major international tournament, a switch to Malaysian or Indian nationality could guarantee more frequent international game time.

While the Malaysian FA are yet to make an official offer to either player to represent the country, their citizenship rules mean that Brandon and Reiss could represent them right away should a proposal be made.

Conversely, representing India means holding an Indian passport along with numerous accompanying civil and political documentation means that there could be a significant wait before the eligibility switch is confirmed.

With both players having grown up and kick-started their professional careers in England, a move away would represent a complete change of scenery. However, they both possess the ability to significantly increase the quality of the Malaysian national team, and the Johor Darul Ta’zim proposal likely comes as a precursor to an official international offer.

It's is not the first time this summer that Brandon has been subject to transfer interest - Championship side Preston North End were keeping tabs on the player, but the Lilywhites ultimately opted to sign former Spurs prospect Alfie Devine for the role of central midfielder instead.