The Swope Park Rangers have signed forward Kharlton Belmar, the club announced on Monday. Belmar spent the last two seasons in the USL with Portland Timbers 2, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2015. Belmar will join the club pending USL and federation approval.
“I would like to thank the Sporting Kansas City organization for giving me the opportunity to continue to develop and grow as a player and as a man,” Belmar said. “It is extremely exciting to be able to sign with a club that sets the gold standard in many ways in American soccer and I hope to bring many special moments and trophies to the Soccer Capital of America.”
“Kharlton is a player with a lot of speed, he’ll give us that depth up front,” Swope Park Rangers head coach Nikola Popovic said. “He’s very strong physically and his finishing is excellent. He’ll provide us with options in the front line, he’s very versatile and can play in any of the front three positions.”
Belmar, 24, was drafted 34th overall by the Portland Timbers in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft before signing with Timbers 2 ahead of their inaugural season in the USL. He made 53 appearances for T2 across his first two professional seasons, recording 15 goals and six assists.
As a rookie in 2015, Belmar led the team with 12 goals – including four game-winners – on his way to being named USL Rookie of the Year before making one appearance while on loan at the New York Cosmos in the NASL. In 2016, Belmar had another three goals and three assists as Timbers 2 narrowly missed out on a berth in the USL Cup Playoffs.
The Virginia Beach, Va. native attended college locally at Virginia Commonwealth University. Belmar scored 18 goals and added five assists in 76 appearances for the Rams and was named an All-Atlantic 10 First Team selection as a junior and senior.
While at college, Belmar played for USL Premier Development League sides Mississippi Brilla (2012) and the Portland Timbers U-23s (2014). Belmar finished the 2014 USL PDL season with eight goals and one assist in 14 games for Portland, garnering PDL All-Western Conference honors and was named Timbers U-23s Player of the Year.
VITALS
Kharlton Belmar
Position: Forward
Born: 12/1/92 (24 years old)
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160 lbs.
Last Club: Portland Timbers 2 (USL)
College: Virginia Commonwealth University
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Va.
Birthplace: Virginia Beach, Va.
Citizenship: USA
Twitter: @kbelmar11_ym9
Instagram: @kharltonbelmar
