Rumor: Sporting KC’s Kayden Pierre to Belgian Club Genk

The secondary transfer window in Major League Soccer has closed. That doesn’t mean teams have to be done making moves. The primary transfer window remains open for many leagues around the world, one of which is the Belgian Pro League.

According to the very respectable journalist, Fabrizio Romano, K.R.C. Genk are interested in Sporting Kansas City right back Kayden Pierre.

🚨🔵 Excl: Genk are closing in on deal to sign MLS talent Kayden Pierre from Kansas City.

21 year old fullback set to leave MLS for new chapter in Europe soon. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/kDPrX8Qt3p

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 22, 2024

If you aren’t familiar with Romano, or Fabs as he’s often called, he is the preeminent soccer rumor guy around the world. If you know Tom Bogert and how in depth he has with all things MLS, think that but for most of Europe and even other parts of the world. I imagine the guy doesn’t sleep.

That said, all rumors should be taken with a grain of salt until they are official. Even Fabs gets some things wrong. But this isn’t some disconnected journalist who just takes rumors fed to them by agents and floats out the idea in a haphazard Tweet.

Back to Pierre.

About Kayden Pierre

Credit: Thad Bell

If you are coming here because you are a commentor on Romano’s Tweet and you have no idea what you are talking about, let us fill you in on Pierre a little bit.

Pierre came up in the SKC Academy after moving to Kansas City from Michigan back in 2018. He played at the U-15, U-17 and U-19 levels before signing a Homegrown deal with Sporting KC in 2021.

The right-footer has mostly played with Sporting KC II since signing but has gained some valuable first team experience. In regular season play he’s appeared 25 times for the first team (16 starts) for 1,412 minutes. In the USL Championship for SKC II he’s appeared 32 times (28 starts) for 2,558 minutes. Those stats are via FBref, which seemingly left out loan appearances with SKC II after he signed his first team deal, so he’s actually got even more experience in MLS Next Pro.

As a player, his speed and dribbling really stand out. He can beat most players for pace and that also helps with recovery speed getting back to his right back role in Sporting KC’s back four. He can beat opposing defenders to the endline to send in crosses (and has appeared at winger in a pinch) but he’s at his best when he’s cutting inside as an inverted fullback.

Injuries have been an issue at times, and it’s felt like he’s been snakebit at times. In 2023, he’d have had a golden opportunity to take over the right back job but ironically badly hurt his hamstring in garbage time in a mere five road minute appearance against FC Dallas. That injury was so bad he never played for the first team again last year.

Even this year, manager Peter Vermes has been cautious with him and given him extra rest off of minor injuries to avoid them dragging on all year. In recent weeks with Jake Davis either needed in the midfield or gone for the Olympics, he’s had a chance to play a lot and has shown well for the most part.

What Does this Mean for Sporting KC?

Sporting KC haven’t sold a player in a long time. Sure, Marinos Tzionis left on a transfer this year, but from everything I’ve heard it was a free transfer with a sell on percentage. Transfermarkt still has a question mark next to his sale to FK Cukaricki.

The last substantial move by Sporting KC is the sale of Gianluca Busio to Venezia back in 2021.

It would be a small step in the right direction to see SKC selling their youth talent they develop. Speaking of Transfermarkt, they put Pierre’s value at €800,000. There has been no rumor on the dollar amount of the rumored Genk deal as of yet. A fee in this region or slightly higher plus a sell-on feels about right.

As far as what it means for the team if Pierre were to leave, there are options. On the first team Jake Davis has played the majority of the minutes at right back. Pierre is second and Khiry Shelton is third. That leaves the team with two players that can surely get them through the rest of 2024.

Beyond that, there are other options. On SKC II they’ve had quite a few guys that play right back. Nati Clarke has done very well but has been out with an injury since June. It’s possible he’ll return before the 2024 season is over. He’s still just 19 and turns 20 in January.

Another option is Ian James. He just turned 16 in June and is primarily a center back, but SKC II coach Benny Feilhaber has been using him at right back off and on. Long-term I think he projects more as a center back. The team lists him at 6’2, but I think he may be growing because I felt small standing next to him and I’m 6’2.

Then there is Leo Christiano. He’s 17 (18 in March) and has played a decent amount of center back for SKC II. However, he strikes me more as a fullback and has spent time at both fullback spots with the IIs.

All three seem like possible Homegrown options the team could use if they want to keep going with inexpensive options that have high upsides.

What Sporting KC are Saying?

Not much. Kayden Pierre wasn’t on the field for the open portion of practice available to the media today. When asked directly about the rumor, Manager Peter Vermes said he can’t say anything at this time.

PV said there is nothing he can say about KP at this time #sportingkc

— Thad (@TheBackpost) August 22, 2024

Update 8/25/2024: Vermes confirmed this past Thursday on The Program that Pierre was being transferred to Genk for a transfer fee of an undisclosed amount.

Vermes: "In these next couple windows, we're going to be very, very active."

He also confirmed a transfer fee is coming back for Kayden Pierre (selling him to Genk), but he didn't give an indication of how much. #SportingKC

— Chad Smith (@PlayFor90) August 25, 2024