Ian Paia (born 28 October 1990) is a Solomon Islands footballer who currently plays for Eastern Stars in the Papua New Guinea Premier Soccer League as a forward.
Paia has been a youth product of Koloale FC Honiara. After a few years he signed for the Solomon Warriors in 2014. After playing in the OFC Champions League he signed in 2017 for Vanuatuan side Ifira Black Bird. After winning the Vanuatuan Championship he returned to the Solomon Warriors.
He then joined Havelock North Wanderers in 2018 before joining Eastern Stars in 2019, where he plays today.
Paia played his first international game with the senior national team on 9 July 2011 against Vanuatu (0âÂÂ0). He scored his only goal for Solomon Islands during a 7âÂÂ0 win against Guam during the 2011 Pacific Games.
He would then represent the Solomon Islands U23 team during the 2012 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. He made his debut on 16 March 2012 during a 2âÂÂ0 loss against Fiji U23. On his third and final cap, he scored all seven of his goals for Solomon Islands U23 during a 16âÂÂ1 win against American Samoa U23 on 21 March 2012 to become their most capped and highest goalscoring player.
Koloale
Ifira Black Bird
Solomon Warriors
Solomon Islands