From hiding in a truck to avoid a travel ban to living through the war in Ukraine - Kevin Kelsy's short journey in the game so far has been a colourful one. The 22-year-old Portland Timbers striker could be about to add a new chapter, with a transfer to Rangers reportedly agreed. But what might he bring to Ibrox - and how has he got to the brink of a move to Glasgow?
Rangers bolster wing options with signing of Kim Respite for under-pressure McInnes as Rangers edge out Aberdeen The Venezuela forward started his career in his homeland with Mineros de Guayana, making his debut in 2021 at the age of 16. That very early start to his career demonstrates Kelsy's natural talent, and his journey to Mineros shows his determination and his spirit. To get there, he had to travel 500 miles from his hometown of Valencia.
There was only one problem - Covid-19 meant there was a nationwide travel ban. To avoid detection at checkpoints, he hid in a mining truck. "It wasn't an appropriate time to be using airports or anything to do with [travel] - so Mineros' president and my agent had an idea," Kelsy said earlier this year, speaking to a Portland Timbers blog.
"Thinking about it, yeah, the idea was crazy to be honest. I was so young, I only let myself be guided by my dreams, not thinking about the craziness of what I was doing. "It was all for my dream, which was to be a professional athlete, to play in Europe." The year after Kelsy's debut, he began to make his mark, with five goals in 24 appearances.
That led to his dream move to Europe, signing for Shakhtar Donetsk after a spell in Uruguay with Boston River. Over his two title-winning seasons with Shakhtar, he netted nine goals in 37 appearances to the backdrop of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. It was my first experience outside of my country and a very drastic change," Kelsy said.
"Both culturally and sporting. "There were times when I lived first hand the attacks on the country, but also saw how the country defended itself," Kelsy said. "I won't lie to you, I could see up in the sky war drones getting knocked down.
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