Arabic version: كيفن كيلسي مرتبط بانتقال إلى رينجرز

According to BBC News, Rangers have reportedly agreed a transfer for Portland Timbers striker Kevin Kelsy, whose arrival could affect the club’s options at centre-forward.

The 22-year-old Venezuela forward began his career with Mineros de Guayana, debuting in 2021 at 16. During a nationwide Covid-19 travel ban, he travelled 500 miles from Valencia to join the club by hiding in a mining truck to avoid detection at checkpoints.

Kelsy scored five goals in 24 appearances before moving via Boston River in Uruguay to Shakhtar Donetsk. He scored nine goals in 37 matches across two title-winning seasons in Ukraine, where he said he experienced attacks and saw war drones being knocked down.

After a 2024 loan spell with FC Cincinnati, where he scored six goals in 23 appearances, Kelsy joined Portland. He has scored 16 goals in 53 games for the Timbers. At 6ft 4in, the left-footed forward could provide height following Youssef Chermiti’s anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Rangers captain Lawrence Shankland has not been a regular starter, while Ryan Naderi had become Derek McInnes’ preferred forward before the Aberdeen match. Bojan Miovski has made one substitute appearance this season and could be the likeliest striker to leave if Kelsy joins.