Kenneth Vargas Explained

Full Name:Kenneth Gerardo Vargas Vargas[1]
Height:1.78m
Position:Winger
Currentclub:Heart of Midlothian
Clubnumber:77
Youthyears1:–2020
Youthclubs1:Herediano
Years2:2020–2022
Clubs2:Municipal Grecia (loan)
Caps2:28
Goals2:5
Years1:2020–2024
Clubs1:Herediano
Caps1:55
Goals1:12
Years3:2023–2024
Clubs3:Heart of Midlothian (loan)
Caps3:33
Goals3:6
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:Heart of Midlothian
Caps4:2
Goals4:0
Nationalyears1:2023–
Nationalteam1:Costa Rica U23
Nationalcaps1:11
Nationalgoals1:5
Nationalyears2:2023–
Nationalteam2:Costa Rica
Nationalcaps2:6
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:10 August 2024
Birth Date:17 April 2002
Kenneth Vargas

Kenneth Gerardo Vargas Vargas (born 17 April 2002) is a Costa Rican professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Heart of Midlothian.[2]

Career

Herediano and Grecia loan

Vargas played for Municipal Grecia on loan from C.S. Herediano. After returning to Herediano, he scored on his senior league debut for the club, against Grecia, on 15 January 2022.[3] He went on to score 10 goals in 41 appearances in the Liga FPD, the Costa Rican first division, in 2022.[4]

Hearts

On 7 August 2023, Vargas joined Scottish Premiership club Heart of Midlothian on a season-long loan deal from Herediano, with an option to purchase outright.[5]

Vargas was permanently signed by Heart of Midlothian on 26 March 2024 on a 5 season contract.[6]

Career statistics

Club statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Grecia (loan)2020–21Liga FPD11200112
2021–22Liga FPD17300173
Total285000000285
Herediano2021–22Liga FPD1220020142
2022–23Liga FPD33108230805212
2023–24Liga FPD00001010
Total451282301106714
Heart of Midlothian2023–24Scottish Premiership336432030429
2024–25Scottish Premiership2000001030
Total356432040459
Career totals108231145015013927

International career

Capped at under-23 level,[7] Vargas received his first call-up to the Costa Rica national football team in 2021.[8] In October 2022 he was again called up to the national team set-up but didn't make an appearance from the substitute bench.[9]

Personal life

His father, also called Kenneth Vargas and nicknamed “Huevo”, was a professional footballer in Costa Rica who played as a striker. Kenneth Vargas Jnr is subsequently nicknamed “Huevito”.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Player profile.
  2. Web site: Kenneth Vargas. Soccerway. 27 July 2023.
  3. Web site: Kenneth Vargas gives value to his signing from the first game with Herediano. nacion.com. 27 July 2023. Florela. Masis. 15 January 2022.
  4. Web site: Hearts in talks to sign Costa Rican striker Kenneth Vargas. Edinburugh News. 27 July 2023. Barry. Anderson. 27 July 2023.
  5. Web site: Welcome Kenneth Vargas! – Hearts . 2023-08-07 . www.heartsfc.co.uk . en.
  6. Web site: Vargas signs permanent deal – Hearts . 2024-03-26 . www.heartsfc.co.uk . en.
  7. Web site: Hearts working on deal for Costa Rican starlet Kenneth Vargas as talks continue over six-figure fee. Scotsman. 27 July 2023. Mark. Anderson. 27 July 2023.
  8. Web site: Kenneth Vargas se quedó sin habla al enterarse de su convocatoria. Everardoherrera.com. 27 July 2023. 27 August 2021.
  9. Web site: Kenneth Vargas works in search of scoring points to go to the World Cup with La Sele. Amprensa.com. 26 July 2023. Luis Felipe. Castillo. 21 October 2022.
  10. Web site: Kenneth Vargas joins the group of fathers and sons who scored in Primera. Teletica.com. 26 July 2023. Fernando José. Arraya. 29 March 2021.