Kevin Kelsy to Rangers
striker seals club's second-biggest deal

1. 3 Sept
   Signing announced

   Rangers and Portland Timbers both confirmed the transfer in official statements.
2. 31 Aug
   Medical completed

   Kelsy underwent a medical in Glasgow, the final step before the move was finalised.
3. 26 Aug
   Fee agreed

   Rangers agreed a fee reported at around £9.5m with Portland Timbers, with a medical then arranged.

Rangers have completed the signing of Venezuelan forward Kevin Kelsy from Portland Timbers, bringing in cover for the injured Youssef Chermiti.

Rangers have completed the signing of Kevin Kelsy from Portland Timbers, with both clubs confirming the move in official statements on 3 September. The Venezuela international has signed an initial four-year contract, with the option of a further year, in a deal reported by Scottish outlets at around £9.2m-£9.5m including add-ons. Portland also retain a sell-on percentage on any future sale. The fee makes the 22-year-old Rangers' second-most expensive signing in the club's history, behind only Tore André Flo's move in 2000, and comes as part of a heavy summer of recruitment at Ibrox.

The deal had been building for weeks. Rangers agreed a fee with Portland around 26 August, and Kelsy then travelled to Glasgow for a medical before terms were finalised and the transfer announced. Manager Derek McInnes had been looking for cover up front after an ACL injury to forward Youssef Chermiti, who isn't expected back until the new year, and Kelsy was identified as his direct replacement. 'He's an exciting player with a lot of attributes, and what really stood out in our conversations is how hungry he is to make an impact,' McInnes said. 'Kevin has a great attitude and a real desire to improve, and we're looking forward to seeing what he can bring at Rangers.'

For Portland, it's a blow up top. Kelsy was the Timbers' leading scorer this season, finishing his spell in Oregon with 16 goals in 43 appearances since a permanent move from FC Cincinnati in January 2025, having first arrived in MLS on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk. General manager Ned Grabavoy said: 'While these decisions are always difficult, this was an opportunity that made sense for all involved,' adding that the sale gives Portland room to pursue younger talent over the next year.

Kelsy's route to Ibrox has taken in several countries. He came through the game in Venezuela and Uruguay before a move to Shakhtar Donetsk, where he won a league title and played Champions League football, then crossed to MLS with Cincinnati before Portland made the deal permanent. This season he scored nine goals to top Portland's charts, form that has also earned him six caps for Venezuela since his senior debut a year ago. Scottish reports have described him as a physical, athletic number nine with the mobility to play on the shoulder of the last defender.

At Ibrox he joins a forward line already featuring Kristoffer Velde and David Da Costa, and gives McInnes an experienced centre-forward option to fill in while Chermiti recovers. He is Rangers' 13th signing of a busy summer rebuild, arriving just before the Scottish transfer window shut on Thursday. 'I know what the club means to the fans,' Kelsy said after signing. 'I would love to bring some joy to the fans and score goals.' Rangers will want goals from him quickly, with a Premiership title race and European football both on the agenda this season.

• Announced by the clubs100

A sourcing score, not a chance of completion: it grades how solid the reporting behind the move is. The stage and the evidence come from the sources listed below; the arithmetic is fixed in code, the same for every deal.

• Rangers Announce Signing Of Kevin Kelsy
• Portland Timbers transfer forward Kevin Kelsy to Rangers FC | PTFC
• Rangers confirm Kevin Kelsy signing in £9.2m deal from Portland Timbers
• 'Physical, Athletic' - Rangers Told About Kevin Kelsy As Fee Agreed
• Rangers: Venezuela attacker arrives to finalise HUGE Ibrox move