Rangers close in on Venezuelan striker with remarkable backstory
Kevin Kelsy, a 22-year-old forward for Portland Timbers, is reportedly set to join Rangers. His career has included hiding in a mining truck to bypass a Covid travel ban and playing for Shakhtar Donetsk during the war in Ukraine. Kelsy began professionally at 16 in Venezuela and has scored nine goals in 37 league appearances for Shakhtar.
Kelsy's route to professional football has been defined by extraordinary circumstances. At 16, he covered 500 miles from Valencia to join Mineros de Guayana, concealing himself in a mining truck to bypass Venezuela's Covid-era travel restrictions. His subsequent move to Shakhtar Donetsk placed him amid the Ukraine conflict, where he experienced attacks firsthand while continuing to compete.
His MLS chapter began with a loan at FC Cincinnati in 2024, where six goals in 29 appearances earned him a permanent switch to Portland Timbers. He has maintained a similar output there, scoring nine in 34 matches. Standing over six feet and left-footed, he would offer Rangers aerial presence following Chermiti's season-ending injury.
This potential signing could strengthen Rangers' attacking depth while spotlighting how football careers increasingly intersect with geopolitical and public health crises. Supporters may gain a player whose resilience under extreme conditions suggests strong character, though adapting to Scottish football's physical