Kai McKenzie-Lyle


Kai John Oliver Milton McKenzie-Lyle is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Dagenham & Redbridge. Born in England, he represents Guyana at international level.

Club career

Barnet

McKenzie-Lyle joined Tottenham Hotspur as under-10, before he moved to Barnet as an under-14 and progressed through the club's academy to become first choice keeper for the under-18s, and made his senior debut with a start in a 3–0 Herts Senior Cup defeat to Bishop's Stortford on 21 January 2014. He first appeared on the bench in the league in October 2014. He made his English Football League debut on 12 September 2015 in a 3–1 League Two away defeat by Portsmouth, coming on as a substitute for John Akinde after regular goalkeeper Jamie Stephens had been sent-off. McKenzie-Lyle joined St Ives Town in August 2017 on loan. He then joined Hayes & Yeading United on loan in December 2017.

Liverpool

McKenzie-Lyle joined Liverpool on trial in July 2018. He then signed for the Reds the following month. McKenzie-Lyle was released in June 2020, having played just twice for the under-23s in Premier League 2.

Cambridge United

On 1 September 2020, McKenzie-Lyle joined League Two club Cambridge United on a two-year deal. On 25 March 2022, Chelmsford City announced the signing of McKenzie-Lyle on loan.
McKenzie-Lyle was released by the club at the end of the 2021–22 season.

Non-league

McKenzie-Lyle joined Welling United in August 2022.
On 6 February 2024, Mckenzie-Lyle joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Folkestone Invicta.
McKenzie-Lyle joined Oxford City for the 2024-25 season.
On 30 September 2025, McKenzie-Lyle returned to Welling United, now of the Isthmian League Premier Division. He departed the club one month later having made three appearances. In November 2025, he joined National League South club Dagenham & Redbridge on non-contract terms.

International career

McKenzie-Lyle was called up to Guyana's squad for their third round matches of 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification, after being alerted to his eligibility by Jack Thorpe, a researcher for the Football Manager game. He made an unusual international debut for a goalkeeper, scoring a header in the 120th minute of a 3–2 loss against Suriname. On his second appearance he saved a penalty against Jamaica.

Personal life

McKenzie-Lyle's younger brother Renell is also a goalkeeper and product of the youth system at Barnet.