Vahram Kevorkian was born in December 1887 in the city of Erivani (now Yerevan) into the family of a wealthy first-guild merchant. His father, hoping that his son would continue the family business, sent him to study at a prestigious school in Boston, USA, when the boy was just ten years old.
In Boston, Vahram first learned about football. His classmates introduced him to the trendy new game, which immediately captivated the boy. After getting the hang of the rules, he quickly became the best player on the team. Upon returning to Erivani for the holidays, Vahram brought a football with him, taught neighborhood kids how to play, and even tried to get his parents interested in the sport. However, his father was deeply displeased with his son’s enthusiasm. In a fit of anger, he slashed the football and decided to send Vagram to study in Belgium, hoping this would make him forget about football.
How wrong he was. Belgium, at the beginning of the 20th century, was one of the most football-centric countries in Europe. At the age of 15, Vagram tried out for the country’s top club, Brugge, but was rejected due to insufficient physical stature (he was just 159 cm tall) and age restrictions (players had to be at least 18 years old). Undeterred, the young man resorted to trickery: he added three years to his age and tried out for the club Cercle Brugge. The coaches recognized the young forward’s talent, and Vahram joined the main squad.
In his debut season of 1903/04, he made an immediate impression by scoring twice in his first game. However, it soon emerged that he had falsified his age, and Kevorkyan was suspended from matches. After serving his suspension, Vahram resumed playing for Cercle Brugge, becoming one of the team’s leaders, twice winning bronze medals in the Belgian Championship, and becoming the club’s top scorer in 1905.
That same year, Vahram moved to another Belgian club, Beerschot. Learning of his son’s footballing exploits, Vahram’s father was furious and even threatened to disinherit him. Yet, this did not deter Vahram, who dedicated himself entirely to football.
In his first season with Beerschot, he played 18 matches and scored 10 goals. Despite his efforts, the team was relegated from the top division, but it returned to Belgian football’s elite the following season. The 1908/09 campaign was a triumphant one for Kevorkian: he became the league’s top scorer with 24 goals. Over his career in Belgium’s top division, he played 103 matches and scored 81 goals.
Such success did not go unnoticed. In October 1908, Vahram received an invitation from the Belgian national team. In his only match for the “Red Devils” against Sweden, he scored a goal in the 30th minute, securing a 2-1 victory for his team.
Here’s what is written about Vagram Kevorkian on the website beerschot-athletic-club.be:
Kevorkian dreamed of playing for the Russian Empire’s national team, but it did not exist until 1910. He even traveled to St. Petersburg to discuss forming a national team. In 1910, the team was established and played its first friendly matches. However, Vagram was unable to participate due to a leg injury.
Eager to recover quickly, he ignored worsening abdominal pain. By the time he sought medical attention, it was too late. Appendicitis had developed into severe peritonitis. In July 1911, at the age of just 23, Vahram Kevorkian passed away after a failed surgery.
Despite his short life, Vahram Kevorkian left a bright legacy in football history. He became the first Armenian superstar and the first Russian footballer to play abroad, as well as a key figure in promoting football in the Russian Empire.
Career Statistics:
- Cercle Brugge (1903–1905): 11 matches, 7 goals.
- Beerschot (1905–1911): 98 matches, 92 goals.
- Belgium National Team (1908): 1 match, 1 goal.
