Gerso Fernandes

Gerso Fernandes (born 23 February 1991), known as Gerso (Portuguese: [ˈʒɛɾsu]), is a Bissau-Guinean professional footballer who plays as a left winger for South Korean club Incheon United.

Gerso

Gerso with Jeju United in 2022
Personal information
Full name	Gerso Fernandes[1]
Date of birth	(1991-02-23) 23 February 1991 (age 34)[1]
Place of birth	Bissau, Guinea-Bissau[1]
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Position(s)	Winger
Team information
Current team	Incheon United
Number	11
Youth career
2004–2009	União Coimbra
2009–2010	Académica
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2010–2011	Académica	0	(0)
2010–2011	→ Tourizense (loan)	25	(3)
2011–2016	Estoril	93	(3)
2014–2015	→ Moreirense (loan)	25	(5)
2016–2017	Belenenses	14	(1)
2017–2020	Sporting Kansas City	107	(18)
2021–2022	Jeju United	69	(13)
2023–	Incheon United	72	(17)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15:49, 15 May 2025 (UTC)

Club career

Portugal

Born in Bissau, Gerso moved to Portugal in his early teens, joining C.F. 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;^[2] 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.^[3]

Gerso made his debut as a senior with G.D. Tourizense in the third division, who acted as Académica's farm team.^[4] Released in summer 2011, he moved to G.D. Estoril Praia of Segunda Liga, contributing 20 scoreless appearances in his first season as the club returned to the Primeira Liga after seven years.^[5]

Gerso made his debut in Portugal's top flight on 17 August 2012, playing 30 minutes in a 2–1 away loss against S.C. Olhanense.^[6] He continued to be played almost exclusively as a substitute in the following campaigns by manager Marco Silva.^[7][8]

For 2014–15, Gerso was loaned to Moreirense F.C. of the same league.^[9]

Sporting KC

On 4 January 2017, Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer announced the signing of Gerso from C.F. Os Belenenses on a three-year designated player contract, with an option for a fourth year.^[10] On 17 May, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Seattle Sounders FC at Children's Mercy Park.^[11]

Gerso rejected an offer for a new deal at the end of the 2020 season, and was released.^[12]

South Korea

On 16 February 2021, Gerso joined K League 1 club Jeju United FC.^[13] Two years later, he moved to Incheon United FC of the same country and league on a free transfer.^[14]

Career statistics

As of 13 December 2023^[15]

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Estoril	2011–12	Liga de Honra	21	0	3	0	2	0	—		—		26	0
	2012–13	Primeira Liga	26	0	0	0	3	0	—		—		29	0
	2013–14		16	1	2	1	3	0	5	0	—		26	2
	2015–16		30	2	1	0	0	0	—		—		31	2
	Total		93	3	6	1	8	0	5	0	—		112	4
Moreirense (loan)	2014–15	Primeira Liga	25	5	2	0	4	1	—		—		31	6
Belenenses	2016–17	Primeira Liga	14	1	1	0	2	0	—		—		17	1
Sporting Kansas City	2017	Major League Soccer	32	8	5	2	—		—		1[a]	0	38	10
	2018		31	5	3	0	—		—		2[a]	1	36	6
	2019		25	2	1	1	—		6	4	—		32	7
	2020		19[b]	3	—		—		—		4[c]	0	23	3
	Total		107	18	9	3	—		6	4	7	1	129	26
Jeju United	2021	K League 1	32	5	1	0	—		—		—		33	5
	2022		37	8	2	0	—		—		—		39	8
	Total		69	13	3	0	—		—		—		72	13
Incheon United	2023	K League 1	34	7	2	1	—		5	2	—		41	10
Career Total			332	47	23	5	14	1	16	6	7	1	392	60

1. Appearances in MLS Cup playoffs
2. Includes three appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
3. Two appearances in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage, two appearances in MLS Cup playoffs

Honours

Estoril

• Liga de Honra: 2011–12^[5]

Sporting Kansas City

• U.S. Open Cup: 2017^[16]

Individual

• K League 1 Best XI: 2023^[17]