Gerso Fernandes (born 23 February 1991) is a Bissau-Guinean professional footballer who plays as a left winger for K League 1 club Incheon United.
Club career Portugal Born in Bissau, Gerso moved to Portugal in his early teens, joining União de Coimbra's youth system in 2004 at age 13. As a junior, he signed with neighbouring Académica de Coimbra where he went on to complete his development; he did not play football for two years during his formative spell, after a priest from the charity facility where he was living advised him against the dangers of turning professional.
Gerso made his debut as a senior with Tourizense in the third division, who acted as Académica's farm team. Released in summer 2011, he moved to Estoril of Segunda Liga, contributing 20 scoreless appearances in his first season as the club returned to the Primeira Liga after seven years.
Gerso made his debut in Portugal's top flight on 17 August 2012, playing 30 minutes in a 2–1 away loss against Olhanense. He continued to be played almost exclusively as a substitute in the following campaigns by manager Marco Silva.
For 2014–15, Gerso was loaned to Moreirense of the same league. Ahead of the 2016–17 season, he agreed to a contract a fellow top-tier side Belenenses.
Sporting Kansas City On 4 January 2017, Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer announced the signing of Gerso from Belenenses on a three-year designated player contract, with an option for a fourth year. On 17 May, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Seattle Sounders FC at Children's Mercy Park.
Gerso helped the club to win the 2017 U.S. Open Cup. He rejected an offer for a new deal at the end of the 2020 campaign, and was released.
South Korea On 16 February 2021, Gerso joined K League 1 club Jeju United. In 2022, he earned a ₩1.7 billion salary, becoming the highest-paid player in the competition.
Subsequently, Gerso signed for Incheon United in the same league on a free transfer. During the 2023 season, he displayed top-class speed while scoring ten goals and providing nine assists in all competitions to be his team's only player to be included in the K League Best XI.
Gerso suffered relegation at the end of 2024, also dealing with injury problems. Incheon were however crowned champions of the League 2 in the following campaign, and he was named Most Valuable Player in the process.
Career statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsEstoril2011–12Liga de Honra2103020——2602012–13Primeira Liga2600030——2902013–14Primeira Liga161213050—2622015–16Primeira Liga3021000——312Total933618050—1124Moreirense (loan)2014–15Primeira Liga2552041——316Belenenses2016–17Primeira Liga1411020——171Sporting Kansas City2017Major League Soccer32852——1Appearances in MLS Cup playoffs038102018Major League Soccer31530——213662019Major League Soccer25211—64—3272020Major League Soccer193———40233Total1071893—647112926Jeju United2021K League 132510———3352022K League 137820———398Total691330———7213Incheon United2023K League 134721—52—41102024K League 127700———2772025K League 2371200———37122026K League 121300———213Total1192921—52—12632Career total417672351411667147382
Honours Estoril Liga de Honra: 2011–12
Sporting Kansas City U.S. Open Cup: 2017
Incheon United K League 2: 2025
Individual K League 1 Best XI: 2023 K League 2 Most Valuable Player: 2025 K League 2 Best XI: 2025
References
External links