Return of the King: Independence sign Dane Kelly

FILE PHOTO

Dane Kelly, who scored 22 goals for Charlotte Independence from 2020-21, has signed on for another stint with the USL League One side.

The greatest scorer in USL Championship history is returning to Charlotte Independence.

The USL League One team signed forward Dane Kelly for the 2023 season, bringing him back to the club where he scored 22 goals with five assists in 41 appearances from 2020-2021. Kelly, a native of Jamaica, played with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in USL Championship in 2022, where he scored seven goals with two assists in 23 matches to become the first player in league history to tally 100 goals.

“I’m very excited to be back with the Independence and can’t wait for the season to start,” Kelly, the 2017 USL Championship MVP and Golden Boot winner with Reno 1868 FC said in a statement. “Independence always feels like home to me, and I’m definitely looking to help bring silverware to the Queen City this season.”

Kelly helped lead Pittsburgh to a playoff berth last year before the Riverhounds lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals. He also played in 17 matches for Ihud Bnei Sakhnin of the Israeli Premier League in 2021 where he scored once in Gavia haMedina, that country’s domestic cup competition.

“We are delighted to welcome Dane back to the Independence for a third time,” Independence coach Mike Jeffries said. “Being able to add the USL’s leading scorer enhances our attack. Dane provides mobility and pace up front, as well as a nose for goal and great box presence. Dane brings experience, savvy and composure to the role, and I look forward to seeing him continue putting balls in the back of the net for the Independence.”

Kelly’s debut season with Charlotte in 2020 resulted in 11 goals and a pair of assists in 16 games played. He that up with another 11 goals in 25 games the next year. Before coming to Charlotte, Kelly played with Indy Eleven in USL Championship, where he scored 10 goals with five assists across 37 appearances in 2019. He also has Major League Soccer experience with a pair of appearances with D.C. United in 2018.

Kelly has also played for the Jamaican national team since getting his first call up in 2017. Since then, Kelly has scored twice in four appearances for the Reggae Boyz.
Kelly made 24 appearances for Swope Park Rangers, scoring eight goals and tallying two assists in 2016 and played with the Charleston Battery from 2011-15, scoring 48 goals with nine assists in 119 appearances.

The Independence kick off their season March 18 against the Richmond Kickers at American Legion Memorial Stadium.

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