{{Short description|Northern Irish association footballer (born 1993)}} {{Use British English|date=May 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Kyle Vassell |image = Kyle Vassell 2018.jpg |image_size = 200 |caption = Vassell playing for Rotherham United in 2018 |fullname = Kyle Thomas Vassell<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/documents/pages-from-fl-professional-retain-list-free-transfers-2014-15-2.pdf-...549-2491536.pdf |title=The Football League Limited: Club list of registered players as at 16th May 2015 |publisher=The Football League |page=54 |date=16 May 2015 |access-date=21 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616201258/http://www.football-league.co.uk/documents/pages-from-fl-professional-retain-list-free-transfers-2014-15-2.pdf-...549-2491536.pdf |archive-date=16 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1993|02|07}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/teams/first-team/forward/kyle-vassell/ |title=Kyle Vassell |publisher=Rotherham United F.C. |access-date=8 October 2018 |archive-date=8 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008214110/https://www.themillers.co.uk/teams/first-team/forward/kyle-vassell/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |birth_place = Milton Keynes, England |height = {{convert|1.83|m|order=flip}} |position = Striker |currentclub = Colorado Springs Switchbacks |clubnumber = 9 |youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2007 |youthclubs1 = Norwich City |youthyears2 = 2007–2010 |youthclubs2 = Brentford |years1 = 2010–2011 |clubs1 = Brentford |caps1 = 0 |goals1 = 0 |years2 = 2010 |clubs2 = → Woking (loan) |caps2 = 1 |goals2 = 0 |years3 = 2011 |clubs3 = → St Albans City (loan) |caps3 = 2 |goals3 = 0 |years4 = 2011 |clubs4 = Dover Athletic |caps4 = 2 |goals4 = 0 |years5 = 2011–2012 |clubs5 = Sutton United |caps5 = 26 |goals5 = 4 |years6 = 2011 |clubs6 = → Tooting & Mitcham United (dual-reg) |caps6 = 2 |goals6 = 0 |years7 = 2011–2012 |clubs7 = → Whitehawk (dual-reg) |caps7 = 6 |goals7 = 2 |years8 = 2012 |clubs8 = → Staines Town (loan) |caps8 = 7 |goals8 = 2 |years9 = 2012–2013 |clubs9 = Chelmsford City |caps9 = 23 |goals9 = 5 |years10 = 2013 |clubs10 = Bishop's Stortford |caps10 = 12 |goals10 = 6 |years11 = 2013–2016 |clubs11 = Peterborough United |caps11 = 28|goals11 = 5 |years12 = 2015 |clubs12 = → Oxford United (loan) |caps12 = 6|goals12 = 1 |years13 = 2015–2016 |clubs13 = → Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) |caps13 = 8 |goals13 = 0 |years14 = 2016 |clubs14 = → Shrewsbury Town (loan) |caps14 = 13 |goals14 = 0 |years15 = 2016–2018 |clubs15 = Blackpool |caps15 = 63|goals15 =22 |years16 = 2018–2021 |clubs16 = Rotherham United |caps16 = 55 |goals16 = 4 |years17 = 2021 |clubs17 = → Fleetwood Town (loan) |caps17 = 26 |goals17 = 4 |years18 = 2021–2022 |clubs18 = Cheltenham Town |caps18 = 16 |goals18 = 2 |years19 = 2022 |clubs19 = San Diego Loyal |caps19 = 29 |goals19 = 14 |years20 = 2023–2025 |clubs20 =Kilmarnock |caps20 = 72 |goals20 = 15 |years21 = 2025– |clubs21 =Colorado Springs Switchbacks |caps21 = 9 |goals21 = 1 |nationalyears1 = 2018 |nationalteam1 = Northern Ireland |nationalcaps1 = 2 |nationalgoals1 = 0 |club-update = 20:25, 28 October 2025 (UTC) |nationalteam-update = 22:36, 15 October 2018 (UTC) }} '''Kyle Thomas Vassell''' (born 7 February 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker who currently plays for Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the USL Championship. Born in England, he represents the Northern Ireland national team.
He began his career as a youth at Norwich City and Brentford, before embarking on a nomadic period in non-League football. He made his Football League debut for Peterborough United in 2013 and thereafter notably played for Blackpool F.C. and Rotherham United. He is a distant relative of Darius and Isaac Vassell.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/11883863.New_signing_Kyle_Vassell_keen_to_give_Oxford_United_a_boost/ |title=New signing Kyle Vassell keen to give Oxford United a boost |website=Oxford Mail |date=27 March 2015 |access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45785312 |title=Nations League: Rotherham United striker Kyle Vassell earns first NI call-up |date=8 October 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref>
==Club career==
===Early years=== Vassell began his career as a schoolboy at Norwich City and joined Brentford at age 15 after having difficulty with commuting from his London home to Norfolk.<ref name=":5" /> He later acknowledged that at the time he found the change of clubs difficult to comprehend.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |url=http://www.footballexclusives.co.uk/apps/blog/show/14301556-kyle-vassell-now-i-know-what-football-means-at-this-level |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222906/http://www.footballexclusives.co.uk/apps/blog/show/14301556-kyle-vassell-now-i-know-what-football-means-at-this-level |archive-date=2 December 2013 |title=Non-League Football News |publisher=Footballexclusives.co.uk |date=20 April 2012 |url-status=usurped |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> He failed to feature in the first team while at Brentford and spent work experience loan spells at Conference South sides Woking<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/2343/two-players-sign-from-brentford/ |title=Woking Football Club | News | Two Players Sign From Brentford |work=Woking Football Club |publisher=Wokingfc.co.uk |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> and St Albans City during the 2010–11 season. He was released by Brentford in June 2011<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=5649 |title=The Official Football Conference League Website |publisher=Footballconference.co.uk |access-date=19 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203035139/http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=5649 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> after he completed his two-year scholarship<ref name=":1">[http://www.gillsconnect.com/s/Gills_News_Desk/Entries/2011/5/3_GILLS_INTERESTED_IN_YOUNGSTER_KYLE_VASSEL.html]{{Dead link|date=May 2014}}</ref> and later felt that he had given away his opportunity at being a professional footballer.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |author=FA Cup |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/fa-cup/10438834/Kyle-Vassell-determined-to-make-each-moment-count-as-Bishops-Stortford-take-on-Northampton-in-FA-Cup.html |title=Kyle Vassell determined to make each moment count as Bishop's Stortford take on Northampton in FA Cup |publisher=Telegraph |date=10 November 2013 |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref>
===Dover Athletic=== Following interest from Gillingham and Burton Albion<ref name=":1" /> and an unsuccessful trial with League Two side Crewe Alexandra, Vassell signed non-contract terms with Conference South side Dover Athletic in October 2011,<ref>{{cite web |last=Hoad |first=Alex |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/east_kent_mercury/sport/2011/october/12/whites_signings.aspx |title=Dover Athletic complete signings of Agustin Battipiedi and Kyle Vassell |publisher=Kentonline.co.uk |date=12 October 2011 |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> linking up with former Brentford manager and player Nicky Forster.<ref name=":0" /> He scored on his debut against in a 6–3 Kent Senior Cup win over Maidstone United on 12 October.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/match/2011-10-12/maidstone-united/vs/dover-athletic |title=Match Details – Maidstone United 3–6 Dover Athletic – KSC – 12 October 2011 |publisher=Aylesbury United FC |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://doverathletic.com/index.php?p=showprofile&id=239&c=ft |title=The Official website of Dover Athletic Football Club | Profile for Kyle Vassell |publisher=Doverathletic.com |date=5 June 1992 |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> He made three further appearances before leaving the club.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
===Sutton United, dual-registrations and loan=== Vassell signed non-contract terms with Conference South side Sutton United on 30 November 2011<ref name=":4">{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/kyle-vassell/158802/ |title=England – K. Vassell – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway |publisher=Uk.soccerway.com |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> and scored on his debut in a 1–0 Surrey Senior Cup win over Epsom & Ewell on 6 December. Vassell bagged four goals in a 6–0 Surrey Senior Cup win over Godalming Town on 17 January 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/match/2012-01-17/sutton-united/vs/godalming-town |title=Match Details – Sutton United 6–0 Godalming Town – SSC – 17 January 2012 |publisher=Aylesbury United FC |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> In December 2011 and January 2012, Vassell had dual-registration spells with Isthmian League Premier Division side Tooting & Mitcham United<ref>{{cite web |date=28 November 2011 |title=Tooting & Mitcham searching for a goalscoring hero |url=http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/football/tootingandmitcham/tootingandmitcham/9389266.Tooting___Mitcham_searching_for_a_goalscoring_hero/?ref=rss |access-date=19 May 2014 |publisher=Your Local Guardian}}</ref> and Isthmian League Division One South side Whitehawk respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=ALL COMPETITIONS : Player's Appearances - Vassell Kyle |url=http://football.mitoo.co/PlayersHistory2.cfm?PI=1213383&LeagueCode=ISTH2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224229/http://football.mitoo.co/PlayersHistory2.cfm?PI=1213383&LeagueCode=ISTH2011 |access-date=14 October 2018 |website=football.mitoo.co | archive-date=3 March 2016 }}</ref> He signed for Conference South side Staines Town on loan on 21 March 2012.<ref name=":4" /> During the 2011–12 season, he made fifteen Sutton appearances, scored seven goals and helped the club into the Conference South playoffs, where they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Welling United. Vassell made 17 appearances and scored three goals for Sutton during the early months of the 2012–13 season before leaving the club in November 2012.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
===Chelmsford City=== Vassell signed for Conference South side Chelmsford City on 6 December 2012.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/news/striker-kyle-vassell-joins-clarets-squad-793620.html |title=Striker Kyle Vassell Joins Clarets Squad |publisher=Chelmsford City FC |access-date=19 May 2014 |archive-date=2 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223730/http://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/news/striker-kyle-vassell-joins-clarets-squad-793620.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club on his second appearance in a 2–1 league victory over Boreham Wood on 29 December. From early January 2013 to early February, he was in fine form and bagged five goals in five games. He helped secure a fifth-place finish for Chelmsford, but he suffered playoff heartbreak for the second season running as Chelmsford were beaten in the semi-finals by the eventual promoted team Salisbury City. He finished the season having made 25 appearances and scored seven goals, despite being utilised predominantly in a wide midfield role.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
===Bishop's Stortford=== Vassell signed for Chelmsford City's neighbours and divisional rivals Bishop's Stortford on 30 June 2013.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/Sport/Blues-News/Bishops-Stortford-FC-new-signings-relish-the-challenge-20130727150008.htm |title=Bishop's Stortford FC new signings relish the challenge | Blues News – all the latest from Bishop's Stortford Football Club |publisher=Hertsandessexobserver.co.uk |date=27 July 2013 |access-date=19 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203032247/http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/Sport/Blues-News/Bishops-Stortford-FC-new-signings-relish-the-challenge-20130727150008.htm |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He scored a hattrick in his first competitive game for the club, a 6–1 Herts Charity Cup win over Ware on 1 August.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bsfc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Ware-Home-HCC-01072013.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=1 January 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222011601/http://www.bsfc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Ware-Home-HCC-01072013.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Vassell scored his first league goal for Bishop's Stortford in a 2–2 draw with Boreham Wood on 19 August. Vassell bagged four goals in 17 minutes<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theposh.com/news/article/20131111-posh-sign-stortford-hot-shot-2-1167752.aspx |title=Posh Sign Stortford Hot-Shot |publisher=Theposh.com |date=11 November 2013 |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> in a 5–0 FA Cup second qualifying round win over Hendon on 29 September, which saw him receive an FA Cup Player Of The Round nomination.<ref>{{cite web |last=Coney |first=Steven |url=http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/fa-cup-and-competitions/8206/four-up-for-fa-cup-accolade/ |title=Four Up For FA Cup Accolade | The Non League Football Paper – Daily football news |date=2 October 2013 |publisher=The Non League Football Paper |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> Another hattrick followed for Vassell in the FA Cup third qualifying round in a 6–1 victory over Chipstead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/Sport/Blues-News/Hat-trick-for-Vassell-as-Blues-hit-six-to-march-on-in-FA-Cup-20131012164334.htm |title=Hat-trick for Vassell as Blues hit six to march on in FA Cup | Blues News – all the latest from Bishop's Stortford Football Club |publisher=Hertsandessexobserver.co.uk |date=12 October 2013 |access-date=19 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203034426/http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/Sport/Blues-News/Hat-trick-for-Vassell-as-Blues-hit-six-to-march-on-in-FA-Cup-20131012164334.htm |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Vassell's run of 16 goals in 16 games saw him hailed as "the new Dwight Gayle"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/news/12040/8956769/ |title=A number of Football League clubs are tracking Bishop's Stortsford's Kyle Vassell |work=SkySports |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> (after Gayle secured a move to League One with Peterborough United and subsequently Premier League side Crystal Palace the previous year on the back of a prolific goalscoring spell for Bishop's Stortford), though Vassell dismissed the comparison.<ref name=":6" /> Vassell was the subject of national attention<ref name=":5">{{cite web |last=Badcock |first=Matt |url=http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/features/the-big-interview/8494/forget-dwight-gayle-im-the-new-bishops-stortford-king/ |title=Forget Dwight Gayle – I'm The New Bishop's Stortford King | The Non League Football Paper – Daily football news |date=23 October 2013 |publisher=The Non League Football Paper |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> when Bishop's Stortford's FA Cup first round tie with League Two side Northampton Town was chosen to be screened by ITV.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2013-10-28/watch-fa-cup-first-round-live-on-itv-bishops-stortford-v-northampton/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203102047/http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2013-10-28/watch-fa-cup-first-round-live-on-itv-bishops-stortford-v-northampton/ |archive-date=3 February 2014 |title=Watch FA Cup first round live on ITV – Bishop's Stortford v Northampton | FA Cup – ITV Sport |publisher=Itv.com |date=28 October 2013 |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> Vassell started the match on 10 November, but suffered a dead leg<ref name=":6">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24897649 |title=BBC Sport – Peterborough United complete deal for Kyle Vassell |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=11 November 2013 |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> early in the second half and was substituted as Northampton ran out 2–1 winners.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2013-11-10/fa-cup-match-report-and-highlights-bishops-stortford-1-2-northampton/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116022343/http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2013-11-10/fa-cup-match-report-and-highlights-bishops-stortford-1-2-northampton/ |archive-date=16 January 2014 |title=FA Cup match report and highlights: Bishop's Stortford 1–2 Northampton | FA Cup – ITV Sport |publisher=Itv.com |date=10 November 2013 |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> It was his last appearance for the club.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
===Peterborough United=== After his goalscoring exploits for Bishop's Stortford led to interest from Football League clubs, Vassell signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with League One side Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee on 11 November 2013.<ref name=":6" /> Vassell made his Peterborough debut (his first appearance in the Football League) on 24 November, starting in a 1–0 home league defeat to Stevenage.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24968457 |title=BBC Sport – Peterborough United 0–1 Stevenage |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=23 November 2013 |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> He was replaced by Shaun Jeffers after 71 minutes. Vassell was an unused substitute for a 3–2 league defeat to former club Brentford on 26 November{{Citation needed|date=March 2014}} and his third Posh appearance came in the return fixture on 1 January 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25512974 |title=BBC Sport – Peterborough United 1–3 Brentford |publisher=Bbc.com |date=1 January 2014 |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> He replaced Mark Little after 76 minutes of the 3–1 defeat. Vassell scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 Football League Trophy Southern Area Final first leg draw at home to Swindon Town on 5 February.<ref>{{cite news |last=Osborne |first=Chris |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25939828 |title=BBC Sport – Peterborough United 2–2 Swindon Town |work=BBC Sport |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref>
Vassell later spent time on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge, before joining Shrewsbury Town on loan for the rest of the season in January 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35255199 |title=Kyle Vassell and Richie Wellens sign for Shrewsbury Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2016 |access-date=8 January 2016}}</ref>
He was released by Peterborough at the end of his contract in May 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36288208 |title=Peterborough United release Gabriel Zakuani and five other players |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 May 2016 |access-date=14 May 2016}}</ref>
===Blackpool=== On 16 June 2016 it was confirmed Vassell had signed a one-year contract to play for League Two side Blackpool.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/vassell-signs-up-3143604.aspx |title=Striker Agrees Blackpool Deal |date=16 June 2016 |access-date=16 June 2016}}</ref> On 6 August 2016 he scored on his League debut for Blackpool, against Exeter City.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36930234 |title=Blackpool 2–0 Exeter |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 August 2016 |access-date=9 August 2016}}</ref>
===Rotherham United=== In July 2018, Vassell signed a three-year deal with Championship side Rotherham United.<ref name="Blackpool duo sign">{{cite news |title=Rotherham sign Vassell and Robertson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44662574 |access-date=29 June 2018 |publisher=BBC |date=29 June 2018}}</ref> His first league goal for the club came over a year later; an acrobatic strike against Peterborough United in the League One game on 29 December 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50882379|title=Rotherham United 4–0 Peterborough United|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 December 2019}}</ref> On 15 January 2021, Vassell joined League One side Fleetwood Town on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2021/january/town-sign-kyle-vassell-on-loan/ |title=Vassell joins Town on loan |publisher=Fleetwood Town FC |date=15 January 2021}}</ref> On 17 May 2021, Rotherham United published their retained list, and confirmed Vassell would be leaving the club at the end of his contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2021/may/read--retained-list-confirmed-by-millers-ahead-of-202122-campaign/|title=Retained list confirmed by Millers ahead of 2021/22 campaign|publisher=Rotherham United F.C.|date=17 May 2021}}</ref>
===Cheltenham Town=== On 9 August 2021, Vassell signed a one-year contract with League Two Champions, Cheltenham Town for their League One campaign. On 6 January 2022, Vassell left the club midway through his contract.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ctfc.com/news/2022/january/vassell-leaves-the-jonny-rocks-stadium/ |title=Vassell leaves the Jonny-Rocks stadium |publisher=Cheltenham Town FC |date=6 January 2022 |accessdate=6 January 2022}}</ref>
===San Diego Loyal=== Vassell moved overseas for the first time in his career on 17 January 2022, signing with USL Championship club San Diego Loyal SC.<ref>{{cite web |title=SD Loyal Adds Kyle Vassell Ahead of 2022 Season |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1203696 |website=USLChampionship.com |date=17 January 2022 |access-date=17 January 2022}}</ref> He was released by San Diego following the 2022 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1250360-sd-loyal-announces-initial-roster-moves-for-2023-season|title=SD Loyal announces initial roster moves for 2023 season|author=USLChampionship com Staff|date=December 6, 2022|website=USL Championship}}</ref>
=== Kilmarnock === Kyle Vassell signed for Kilmarnock on 1 January 2023 after leaving USL Championship club San Diego Loyal at the end of their 2022 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Highet |first=Lochlin |date=2023-01-01 |title=Kyle Vassell: our first signing of 2023 |url=https://kilmarnockfc.co.uk/news/kyle-vassell-our-first-signing-of-2023/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Kilmarnock FC |language=en}}</ref> He made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal for the club in a 1–0 victory over Dundee United in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup on 11 February 2023. Vassell continued his scoring form by netting in the quarter-final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, although Kilmarnock were eliminated following a 2–1 defeat.
In the 2022–23 Scottish Premiership season, Vassell scored in key matches, including a 2–0 win over Livingston on 13 May 2023 and a 3–0 victory against Dundee United on 24 May 2023, where he scored twice. He concluded the season with six goals in 18 appearances across all competitions.
Ahead of the 2023–24 season, Vassell was appointed club captain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Highet |first=Lochlin |date=2023-07-25 |title=Kyle Vassell honoured to be Kilmarnock captain as he dreams of lifting trophy |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/ayrshire/kyle-vassell-honoured-kilmarnock-captain-30548657 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}</ref> He played a pivotal role in Kilmarnock's successful campaign, scoring 11 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions. Notably, he scored twice in a 3–1 league victory over Livingston on 21 October 2023 and contributed goals in wins against Aberdeen and St Mirren. His performances helped Kilmarnock secure a fourth-place finish in the league, earning qualification for European competition. In the 2024–25 season, Vassell continued to be a key figure for Kilmarnock, making 28 appearances and scoring four goals across all competitions by April 2025. He scored in a European competition, netting in a 2–2 draw against Tromsø in the UEFA Conference League on 8 August 2024. However, in January 2025, Kyle Vassell suffered a shin injury during a Scottish Premiership match against St Mirren. After being substituted off, he was taken to hospital for further investigation amid concerns the injury could be serious.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-02 |title=Kyle Vassell's shin injury could be serious one – Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes |url=https://www.irishnews.com/sport/soccer/kyle-vassells-shin-injury-could-be-serious-one-kilmarnock-boss-derek-mcinnes-LSCA65VET5L2JHVCPU3IVRA7LM/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}</ref>
==International career== In October 2018, Kyle Vassell was called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time, for their Nations League matches away to Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Qualifying for Northern Ireland as his grandfather was from County Fermanagh, on his call up, Vassell said: "I'm over the moon, it has been a while coming, I'm grateful that my opportunity has come and it's my first ever call-up, so I'm really excited." On 12 October he made his debut against Austria, coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/sport/view,waiting-is-over-as-vassell-gets-northern-ireland-call_28870.htm |title=Waiting is over as Vassell gets Northern Ireland call |website=www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk |date=8 October 2018 |access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="bbc.co.uk"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/45790566 |title=Austria 1–0 Northern Ireland – Arnautovic scores winner |date=11 October 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|2 January 2025.}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup<ref group=lower-alpha name=cups>Including FA Cup and U.S. Open Cup</ref> !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Brentford |2010–11<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell - Aylesbury United">{{Cite web |title=Games played by Kyle Vassell – Aylesbury United |url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/kyle-vassell#playingcareer |publisher=Aylesbury United F.C. |access-date=8 November 2015}}</ref> |League One |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |Woking (loan) |2010–11<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell - Aylesbury United"/> |Conference South |1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||1||0 |- |St Albans City (loan) |2010–11<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell - Aylesbury United"/> |Conference South |2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||2||0 |- |Dover Athletic |2011–12<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell - Aylesbury United"/> |Conference South |2||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=KSC>Appearances in Kent Senior Cup</ref>||1||4||1 |- |rowspan="3"|Sutton United |2011–12<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell - Aylesbury United"/> |Conference South |11||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||4<ref group=lower-alpha name=SSC>Appearances in Surrey Senior Cup</ref>||5||15||7 |- |2012–13<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell - Aylesbury United"/> |Conference South |15||2||1||0||colspan="2"|—||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=FAT>Appearances in FA Trophy</ref>||1||17||3 |- !colspan="2"|Total !26!!4!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!5!!6!!32!!10 |- |Tooting & Mitcham United (dual-reg) |2011–12<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell - Football Mitoo"/> |IL Premier Division |2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- |Whitehawk (dual-reg) |2011–12<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell - Football Mitoo">{{Cite web |title=Games played by Kyle Vassell – Football Mitoo |url=http://football.mitoo.co/PlayersHistory2.cfm?PI=1213383&LeagueCode=ISTH2011 |publisher=Football Mitoo |access-date=8 November 2015}}</ref> |IL Division One South |6||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||6||2 |- |Staines Town (loan) |2011–12<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell - Aylesbury United"/> |Conference South |7||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||7||2 |- |Chelmsford City |2012–13<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell - Aylesbury United"/> |Conference South |23||5||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=CHE>One appearance and one goal in Essex Senior Cup, one in Conference South play-offs</ref>||1||25||6 |- |Bishop's Stortford |2013–14<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell - Aylesbury United"/> |Conference South |12||6||4||7||colspan="2"|—||0||0||16||13 |- |rowspan="4"|Peterborough United |2013–14<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell in 2013/2014">{{Soccerbase season|73433|2013|name=Kyle Vassell|access-date=8 November 2015}}</ref> |League One |6||0||0||0||0||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLT>Appearances in Football League Trophy</ref>||1||8||1 |- |2014–15<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell in 2014/2015">{{Soccerbase season|73433|2014|name=Kyle Vassell|access-date=8 November 2015}}</ref> |League One |17||5||2||0||1||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLT/>||0||21||5 |- |2015–16<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell in 2015/2016">{{Soccerbase season|73433|2015|name=Kyle Vassell|access-date=8 November 2015}}</ref> |League One |5||0||0||0||1||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLT/>||0||7||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !28!!5!!2!!0!!2!!0!!4!!1!!36!!6 |- |Oxford United (loan) |2014–15<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell in 2014/2015"/> |League Two |6||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||6||1 |- |Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) |2015–16<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell in 2015/2016"/> |League Two |8||0||4||3||0||0||0||0||12||3 |- |Shrewsbury Town (loan) |2015–16<ref name="Games played by Kyle Vassell in 2015/2016"/> |League One |13||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||13||0 |- |rowspan="3"|Blackpool |2016–17<ref name="KV16">{{Soccerbase season|73433|2016|access-date=29 September 2017}}</ref> |League Two |34||11||4||0||0||0||4<ref group=lower-alpha name=2EFT2L2PO>Two appearances in the EFL Trophy and two in the League Two play-offs</ref>||2||42||13 |- |2017–18<ref name="KV17">{{Soccerbase season|73433|2017|access-date=29 September 2017}}</ref> |League One |29||11||0||0||0||0||0||0||29||11 |- !colspan="2"|Total !63!!22!!4!!0!!0!!0!!4!!2!!71!!24 |- |rowspan=4|Rotherham United |2018–19<ref name="KV18">{{Soccerbase season|73433|2018|access-date=5 May 2019}}</ref> |Championship |23||0||0||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||25||0 |- |2019–20<ref name="KV19">{{Soccerbase season|73433|2019|access-date=7 March 2020}}</ref> |League One |20||4||2||1||2||1||0||0||24||6 |- |2020–21<ref name="KV20">{{Soccerbase season|73433|2020|access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref> |Championship |12||0||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||14||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !55!!4!!3!!1!!5!!1!!0!!0!!63!!6 |- |Fleetwood Town (loan) |2020–21<ref name="KV20"/> |League One |26||4||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||26||4 |- |Cheltenham Town |2021–22<ref name="KV21">{{Soccerbase season|73433|2021|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref> |League One |16||2||2||0||2||2||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=EFLT>Appearances in EFL Trophy</ref>||0||22||4 |- |San Diego Loyal SC |2022 |USL Championship |29||14||1||0||colspan=2|—||1||0||31||14 |- | rowspan="4" |Kilmarnock |2022–23 |Scottish Premiership |14||4||3||2||1||0||colspan=2|—||18||6 |- |2023–24 |Scottish Premiership |35||9||3||1||3||1||colspan=2|—||41||11 |- |2024–25 |Scottish Premiership |19||2||0||0||1||0||6<ref group=lower-alpha name=UEL>Two appearances in UEFA Europa League, four appearances and one goal in UEFA Conference League</ref>||1||26||3 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !68!!15!!6!!3!!5!!1!!6!!1!!85!!20 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !393!!86!!28!!14!!14!!4!!25!!12!!460!!116 |}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
==Honours== '''Blackpool''' *EFL League Two play-offs: 2017<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39989418 |title=Blackpool 2–1 Exeter City |first=James |last=Law |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2017 |access-date=23 December 2018}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Soccerbase}} {{Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vassell, Kyle}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Milton Keynes Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland Category:21st-century sportsmen from Northern Ireland Category:Northern Ireland men's international footballers Category:English men's footballers Category:English people of Northern Ireland descent Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Black British sportsmen Category:21st-century Black British people Category:Brentford F.C. players Category:Woking F.C. players Category:St Albans City F.C. players Category:Dover Athletic F.C. players Category:Sutton United F.C. players Category:Tooting & Mitcham United F.C. players Category:Whitehawk F.C. players Category:Staines Town F.C. players Category:Chelmsford City F.C. players Category:Bishop's Stortford F.C. players Category:Peterborough United F.C. players Category:Oxford United F.C. players Category:Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. players Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players Category:Blackpool F.C. players Category:Rotherham United F.C. players Category:Fleetwood Town F.C. players Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:Isthmian League players Category:San Diego Loyal SC players Category:English expatriate men's footballers Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States Category:Kilmarnock F.C. players Category:Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC players Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Northern Ireland in the United States Category:Expatriate men's association footballers from Northern Ireland Category:21st-century English sportsmen