United have signed the United Soccer League’s (USL) all-time goalscoring leader Dane Kelly via Major League Soccer’s Discovery Process. The forward spent the 2017 USL season with Reno 1868 FC.
In 2017, Kelly scored 18 goals on the way to becoming the league’s Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot winner that season. He also recorded back-to-back hat tricks last year against Phoenix Rising FC on May 7, 2017 and against Seattle Sounders FC 2 on May 21, 2017. Kelly is the USL’s all-time leading scorer after netting 56 goals and recording 14 assists in 138 total USL appearances. Prior to joining Reno 1868 FC, Kelly played for the Charleston Battery (2011-2015) and Swope Park Rangers (2016).
“Dane has an impressive goalscoring record in the USL and is deserving of his shot in MLS,” Dave Kasper, United General Manager said. “He will provide us with more attacking depth and we are excited to welcome him to the club.”
Internationally, Kelly has made two appearances for the Jamaican Men’s National Team, making his debut as a starter in an international friendly against Canada on Sept. 3, 2017. He scored his first goal and first assist for the Reggae Boyz in a 2-2 draw in an international friendly against South Korea on Jan. 30, 2018. In both appearances, he played alongside new United teammate Oniel Fisher.
Kelly began his soccer career in Jamaica for Tivoli Gardens FC before joining the Charleston Battery on March 16, 2011. He spent five seasons with Charleston then made the move to Sporting Kansas City’s USL affiliate side Swope Park Rangers on December 16, 2015 where he scored six goals and recorded two assists in 20 games during the 2016 season.
Kelly holds a United States Green Card.
Player: Dane Kelly
Position: Forward
Birthplace: Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica
Country: Jamaica
Birthdate: 02/09/1991
Age: 27
Height: 5’11"
Weight: 159
Previous Club: FC Pune City (India)
Status: Green Card
Transaction: United sign forward Dane Kelly via Discovery Process.
