Kevin Kelsy is expected to miss Portland Timbers’ MLS clash with Austin FC on Saturday night [Sunday morning GMT] as the striker awaits his visa to travel to the UK and complete his move to Rangers.
The 22-year-old Venezuelan has been one of Portland’s key performers this season, scoring nine MLS goals as the Timbers climbed to ninth in the Western Conference.
However, his performances have now earned him a move to Scotland, with Rangers agreeing a reported $13 million transfer with Portland.
Kelsy is now awaiting the necessary visa clearance before travelling to the UK, where he is expected to complete his Rangers medical and finalise his move to Ibrox.
That means he is not expected to feature when Portland host Austin on Saturday.
Portland to start life without Kelsy
The Timbers will therefore begin life without their leading league goalscorer, who has netted seven times in the league.
Portland manager Marti Cifuentes acknowledged the difficulty of losing Kelsy but backed the club's recruitment team to strengthen before the MLS secondary transfer window closes on September 2.
“It’s been, obviously, a club decision as well, so we spoke about the pros and cons,” Cifuentes said.
“Kevin was doing well, he’s a young, talented striker. But we have full trust in Ned [Grabavoy], our general manager, and his team to make sure that we are stronger at the end of the window.”
Kelsy's departure comes after a strong run of form for Portland, who have lost just once in their last seven MLS matches.
His goals have been central to that improvement, but Rangers' interest ultimately led to the Timbers accepting an offer they felt was too significant to refuse.
Kevin Kelsy Ibrox bound
Kelsy is awaiting his UK visa, with the medical to follow once he arrives in Britain. Subject to those stages being successfully completed, he will then join up with Derek McInnes's Rangers squad but having him ready in time for Sunday’s trip to Pittodrie is unlikely at this stage.
The timing means Kelsy is unlikely to be involved in Rangers' immediate preparations, but his arrival would provide McInnes with another option in attack as the transfer window approaches its September 3 deadline, a particularly needed one after Yousef Chermiti’s ACL injury.
The striker's impending departure was also reflected in Portland's preparations for the Austin match, with the Timbers facing their first fixture since his transfer was agreed.
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