Kevin Jesús Kelsy Genez (born 27 July 2004) is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati, on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk. Kelsy also represents the Venezuela U23 national team.

Kevin Kelsy
Personal information
Full name Kevin Jesús Kelsy Genez[1]
Date of birth (2004-07-27) 27 July 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth Valencia, Venezuela[1]
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
FC Cincinnati
(on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk)
Number 19
Youth career
Mineros de Guayana
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2022 Mineros de Guayana 33 (5)
2023 Boston River 0 (0)
2023– Shakhtar Donetsk 27 (7)
2024–FC Cincinnati (loan) 20 (6)
International career
2022– Venezuela U20 8 (0)
2024– Venezuela U23 5 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 September 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 4 May 2024

Club career

edit

Having broken into the first team at Mineros in 2021, Kelsy went on to establish himself in the 2022 season, scoring his first goals for the club.[2]

On 31 January 2023, Shakhtar Donetsk announced the signing of Kelsy from Boston River on a contract until the end of December 2027.[3] He signed with the Ukrainian club during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[4]

On 23 February 2023, Kelsy was a substitute during the Europa League Playoff 2nd Leg against Rennes.[5] In the penalty shootout he scored the deciding goal that took Shakhtar Donetsk to the Round of 16.[5]

On 30 April 2024, MLS side FC Cincinnati announced Kelsy's acquisition via loan for the remainder of the 2024 season with an option to buy as part of the MLS U-22 initiative program.[6] On May 11, 2024, Kelsy scored his first goal for the club as part of a 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew in the Hell is Real Derby.[7]

Career statistics

edit

Club

edit
As of match played 21 September 2024[8]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Mineros 2021 Venezuelan Primera División 9 0 9 0
2022 24 5 24 5
Total 33 5 33 5
Shakhtar Donetsk 2022-23 Ukrainian Premier League 14 5 3[b] 1 17 6
2023-24 13 2 2 0 5[c] 1 20 3
Total 27 7 2 0 8 2 37 9
FC Cincinnati 2024 (loan) Major League Soccer 20 6 4 0 24 6
Career total 80 18 2 0 4 0 8 2 0 0 94 20
  1. ^ Appearances in Leagues Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League

Honours

edit

Shakhtar Donetsk

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Kevin Kelsy at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ "Kevin Kelsy agarra un »avioncito» para mejorar como delantero" [Kevin Kelsy grabs a »little plane» to improve as a striker]. pasionxeldeporte.com (in Spanish). 27 July 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Kevin Kelsy joins Shakhtar". shakhtar.com. FC Shakhtar Donetsk. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Ukraine war: UN condemns Russian invasion ahead of anniversary". BBC News. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Rennes 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk". UEFA. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  6. ^ FC Cincinnati acquire Kevin Kelsy on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk (https://www.fccincinnati.com/news/fc-cincinnati-acquire-kevin-kelsy-on-loan-from-shakhtar-donetsk) 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Columbus Crew 1-2 FC Cincinnati (May 11, 2024)". ESPN. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  8. ^ Kevin Kelsy at Soccerway