Kayden Pierre transfer to Genk complete

Sporting Kansas City has completed the transfer of Homegrown defender Kayden Pierre to KRC Genk in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League for an undisclosed transfer fee. Sporting KC will also receive a sell-on fee for any future transfer of Pierre from Genk. Pierre is joining a club that is normally near the top of the table in the Belgian league.

When Pierre was asked about the move, he answered candidly. “To be honest, I think obviously it’s a good league. It’s a good team and I think I just needed a fresh start. I’ve been here for four years, seven including the Academy. I think I just needed a fresh start. Obviously, if there were no injuries and other things like that, but it was mostly a fresh start. A new city, new everything, I think that will kickstart my career again.”

Pierre joined Sporting KC’s Academy in 2018, and represented Sporting KC at the U-15, U-17 and U-19 levels. He was signed to a Homegrown Player contract in May of 2021.

The Michigan native has 76 professional appearances in all competitions split between Sporting KC and Sporting KC II. Pierre primarily played as a right back for Sporting Kansas City. He was noted for his speed, getting into the attack, and his ability to quickly recover while making excellent tackles.

Pierre was seen as the heir apparent to Sporting KC and U.S. star Graham Zusi at right back. A quick rise through the Academy, the second team and promising appearances for the first team gave hope that Pierre would quickly be a regular starter. Getting looks with the senior national team did not seem out of the realm of possibility.

With twenty-eight appearances for the second team in 2021 and nineteen for the first team in 2022, it looked like Pierre’s path was destined. Then injuries took their toll, hamstrings limited him to just five games in 2023 and eleven so far in 2024 across all competitions.

With Pierre injured and Zusi missing time last season and then not returning for 2024, Sporting KC moved players to the right back spot out of necessity. Fellow Homegrown midfielder Jake Davis and winger Khiry Shelton both spent time at right back. Neither player was perfect but both showed they could do the job when needed and possessed some the ability to cover that role.

Benefiting Club and Player

While the fee was undisclosed by Sporting KC, it is listed as €1,000,000 on transfermarkt which is usually reasonably accurate. That would be a little over a million U.S. dollars.

While Sporting KC would probably rather have a healthy Pierre in that spot, the move makes sense on both sides. Sporting KC will receive some amount of cash to help with a much needed rebuild and Pierre can have his fresh start.

Regret and favorite memory

Perhaps regret is not the right word to describe Pierre’s feelings as he talked to reporters late after a match. He knew he was going and had been saying his goodbyes to his teammates. He slowly made his way around the room, taking in his last time in a familiar spot.  Maybe regret, maybe disappointed. Perhaps a little sad that everything did not go better for him and the club.

“I wish I really could have gotten on the field more, to help this team. I think I could have really helped out,” Pierre reflected. “I wanted to play for this team, it’s my boyhood club. Obviously that didn’t happen, but I’ll always love this club.”

Pierre talked about his memories of his time in Kansas City.  “Some of the best memories of my life are going to be here and will always be here. Making my debut, my first professional team. All these guys, all my friends that I made here, I mean, I’ll never forget the city for that. I had a great seven years here.”

Asked if one memory stands out for him, Pierre easily answered. “It’s cliché, but it was after the Austin game with me and my boy Jake (Davis). Walking to the Cauldron, that would be my favorite moment.”

Kayden Pierre | Credit: Thad Bell 

A Genk Connection

Michel Ribeiro was hired by Sporting KC in 2017 to be their Technical Coach. He worked mostly with the Academy but at times he also trained first-term players as well. Ribeiro worked with players like Gianluca Busio, Jaylin Lindsey, Jake Davis and many others, including Kayden Pierre.

The Belgian coach worked with young players to improve their touch. He helped refine their technique, receiving, passing, and their all-around ability on the ball. Ribeiro trained many of Belgium’s biggest stars. Ribeiro came from Genk and returned to Genk when he left Kansas City. It is unknown if Ribeiro helped the move, but it does seem likely that he kept an eye on his former students.

“I think he’s still there (at Genk) and I’m looking forward to seeing him and chatting with him a little bit,” Pierre said.

Pierre praised Ribeiro’s time in Kansas City. “He would work with me, Jake, and a couple of other guys that were signed by then. He was big for our development in the academy.”

There is a good chance that Pierre will spend some time with Jong Genk, their second team. If he does, it will give him a little time to adjust to the new location and club.

It will give him time, and his new start.

KP said goodbye via Instagram.

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