Hailing from a modest background in Bengaluru, Nikhil Raj’s football journey began in 2018 when he was discovered at a Kickstart Foundation program. Recognizing his exceptional talent, Kickstart facilitated a trip to the Netherlands, where he played friendlies with a top-tier Dutch team. This exposure led to trials at Esbjerg Football Club in Denmark, resulting in a professional contract for 2020. Although the pandemic prevented him from joining the Danish club, the international experience significantly boosted his development. Nikhil’s rise continued domestically as he represented Karnataka in the Santosh Trophy, contributing to their 2018-2019 South Zone victory. His impressive performances earned him a spot with the Indian Arrows in the I-League. In 2021-22, Nikhil’s dreams culminated in selection for the Indian National Team, participating in the AFC U-23 Championship. He also signed with Odisha FC in the Indian Super League, making an immediate impact with a goal on his debut.