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 17 February 2025 he signed for Zimbru Chișinău.
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
MoldovaYearAppsGoals202130202210202300202430202500202641Total111
Scores and results list Moldova's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Cleșcenco goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Nicky CleșcencoNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 2 October 2026 Astana Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan 11 1–0 2–1 2026–27 UEFA Nations League C
References