Rangers have agreed a deal to sign striker Kevin Kelsy from Portland Timbers for an initial fee of around £9.2m. The 22-year-old Venezuela international is set to join as a direct replacement for the injured Youssef Chermiti, according to a report from www.google.com this week.
Manager Derek McInnes has been searching for a player offering the same physical presence and speed as Chermiti, who suffered an ACL injury against Hibernian and has undergone surgery. Kelsy, who stands 6'4", fits that profile and was reportedly keen on the move to Ibrox despite interest from clubs in England and abroad. His arrival comes as Rangers sit 9th in the Premiership with just one point from their opening two games, already five points behind leaders Celtic.
Who is new Rangers striker Kevin Kelsy?
Kevin Kelsy is a 22-year-old Venezuelan striker who has scored 10 goals and provided three assists across all competitions for Portland Timbers this season. He started his career with Mineros de Guayana in his homeland before a spell playing in Uruguay. Kelsy later joined Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk before making the move to Major League Soccer. His international experience and goal record made him a primary target for McInnes, who needed to address a lack of firepower. The club's current top scorer is T. Aasgaard with just one goal in two appearances, and the team has only scored twice while conceding three times.
What does the Kelsy deal mean for Rangers?
The £9.2m investment in Kevin Kelsy represents a significant commitment to solving Rangers' immediate attacking problems. It directly addresses the void left by Chermiti's long-term injury, ensuring the squad retains a potent aerial threat and focal point in attack. This transfer also signals the club's intent to improve their league position quickly after a sluggish start. You can view the updated squad profile on our squad page. The deal was finalized as the team prepares for a crucial away fixture against Aberdeen on the 30th of August, a match against the 8th-placed side that could help turn their form around.
Are Rangers closing in on another signing?
Rangers are also reportedly closing in on a deal for Girona winger Kim Min-Su. The 20-year-old South Korean international is said to be in the UK to complete his medical and paperwork ahead of a move with a reported fee of £8.5m. Kim predominantly plays off the left wing but is capable of being used on the right or through the middle as a second striker. He played for Girona last Friday in their 2-1 loss to Cordoba in Spain's second division. Last season, he scored six goals and provided four assists in the league. This potential double signing would represent a major overhaul of the attacking options available to McInnes.
How will the new signings fit into the current team?
The immediate need is for Kevin Kelsy to lead the line and start scoring goals to improve Rangers' -1 goal difference. His physical attributes should offer a reliable outlet and help the team build attacks from the front. If Kim Min-Su joins, he will provide width, creativity, and versatility across the front line, potentially forming a new-look attack. These moves are designed to inject quality and goals into a side that has managed only a draw and a loss from its first two outings. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming challenges on our standings and fixtures pages.
With two major attacking signings potentially arriving before the end of the transfer window, Derek McInnes is clearly acting to rectify a poor start to the Premiership campaign. The focus now shifts to integrating Kevin Kelsy and possibly Kim Min-Su into the squad ahead of a critical period of fixtures, starting with the trip to Pittodrie.
