Nicky Cleșcenco

Nicky Cleșcenco (born 23 July 2001) is a footballer who plays as a left winger for club Kilmarnock. Born in Ireland, he plays for the Moldova national team.

Club career Cleșcenco played for Dacia Buiucani in his youth, before moving to Portugal in 2014 to play for the academies of Sporting CP and União de Leiria. During the 2019–20 season, he made six senior appearances for União de Leiria in the Campeonato de Portugal. In February 2021, he joined the reserve team of Swiss club Sion, playing in the Promotion League.

On 30 January 2026, Cleșcenco signed for Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock on an eighteen-month contract.

International career Cleșcenco made his international debut for Moldova on 3 June 2021, coming on as a substitute in the 87th minute for Dan Spătaru in a friendly match against Turkey. The match in Paderborn finished as a 2–0 loss.

Personal life Cleșcenco was born in Dublin, Ireland, and is the son of former footballer and manager Serghei Cleșcenco.

Career statistics

International