D.C. United have signed Venezuelan forward Gelmin Rivas to a contract. Rivas will occupy an international roster slot and join the club pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa.
“We are excited to welcome Gelmin to the District,” Dave Kasper, D.C. United General Manager and VP of Soccer Operations, said. “Gelmin’s experience and goal scoring record in leagues across the world will add some important firepower and attacking depth to our roster. We’re looking forward to integrating him with the squad."
Rivas most recently played for MKE Ankaragücü in the Turkish first division (Süper Liga) after signing with the club from Club Atlético Boston River in Uruguay on Jan. 31, 2020. The 31-year-old made seven appearances for the Turkish side; scoring one goal and recording an assist. His goal for the club came on July 4, 2020 in a loss against Alanyaspor.
The forward has made three appearances for the Venezuelan National Team after making his debut as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against Canada on May 30, 2010 in an International Friendly. His most recent appearance came in a 2-1 loss against Honduras on May 6, 2014.
Rivas started his professional career with Deportivo Anzoátegui SC in the Venezuelan first division when he signed in 2009. In four seasons with the side, Rivas scored 23 goals in 80 appearances. Rivas was then signed by Deportivo Táchira in Venezuela on Dec. 1, 2012. He scored 40 goals in 76 appearances for the Venezuelan side including two goals in seven appearances in the Copa Libertadores. He was Venezuela’s top scorer in the 2014/2015 Torneo Clausura with 13 goals.
The 31-year-old left the Venezuelan first division when he signed with Al-Ittihad Jeddah in the Saudi Arabian top tier on July 1, 2015. Rivas spent one year with Ittihad and scored 24 goals and recorded eight assists in 35 appearances before signing with Sharjah Cultural Sports Club in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Gulf League on July 17, 2016. In one season in the UAE, Rivas appeared 26 times; scoring 13 goals and recording four assists.
The Venezuelan returned to Saudi Arabia on Sept. 11, 2017 when he signed for Al-Hilal Riyadh. In two seasons with the side, Rivas scored 13 goals and recorded three assists in 41 appearances. Rivas played a large role in Al-Hilal becoming the 2017 - 2018 Saudia Arabian league champions and winning the 208-19 Saudi Super Cup.
Rivas joined Al Rayyan Sports Club in the Qatari first division Feb. 6, 2019. The forward played for eight months in Qatar; scoring 10 goals and recording an assist in 13 appearances. Rivas moved to South America after his stint in Qatar when he signed for Club Atlético Boston River in the Primera División Apertura on Oct. 1, 2019. He scored two goals and recorded one assist in a season with the team before joining MKE Ankaragücü in Turkey.
Player: Gelmin Rivas
Position: Forward
Birthplace: Cumana, Venezuela
Country: Venezuela
Birthdate: 03/23/1989
Age: 31
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 190 lbs
Previous Club: MKE Ankaragücü (Turkey)
Status: International
Transaction: D.C. United signed forward Gelmin Rivas
