Incoming Rangers star Kevin Kelsy revealed the incredible journey that would lead him to Ibrox, including hiding in a truck for 500 miles in his homeland and dodging bombs in Ukraine.
Rangers are set to splash out a huge fee of £9million to sign the Venezuelan international striker from Portland Timbers.
The 22-year-old's route to the top has been an unconventional one after spells in his homeland, Uruguay and Shakhtar Donetsk. And, earlier this year, Kelsy spoke of the efforts he made to reach the top.
Kelsy was offered his first contract by Mineros de Guayana five years ago, but Venezuela was in the height of Covid lockdown, and the government had banned all travel, which would have meant the deal collapsed.
But he undertook an innovative way of signing the deal. He recalled, "I was offered a contract at 16, and I had to get from my hometown of Valencia in Venezuela to Mineros de Guayana while trying to avoid detection from authorities during a countrywide travel ban.
"But it was 500 miles away. We were banned from travelling, so my agent and the Mineros president had an idea. That's why I ended up stuffing myself into a mining truck to travel the journey while trying to avoid detection from authorities.
"Thinking about it, yeah, the idea was crazy, to be honest. I was so young, I only let myself be guided by my dreams, not thinking about the craziness of what I was doing. It was all for my dream, which was to be a professional athlete and to play in Europe."
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Kelsy clinched his move to Europe three years ago after a spell in Uruguay with Boston River, but his time in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk was marred after the country's invasion from Russia.
He said, "It was my first experience outside of South America and a very drastic change. Both culturally and sporting. Air raid sirens became part of my life. There were times when I lived firsthand the attacks on the country, but also saw how Ukraine defended itself.
"I won’t lie to you, I could see war drones up in the sky getting knocked down. They are moments that will forge you, mature you.
"I think ultimately dreams are bigger than anything else, so I tried not to mind all those things the best I could."
Kelsy was plucked from Ukraine by Portland Timbers and the club's general manager, Ned Grabavoy, outlined the qualities Rangers fans can expect from their new recruit. He said, "He's just a solid block of a man.
"His work ethic at times... it’s almost like he’s overworking. A big thing with him was to try and show him how to work efficiently, how to work within our group and how to work within our team.
"As he’s opened up, he got more comfortable during his time here, he’s starting to take direction and utilise it and maximise it to be the best version of himself on the pitch."
