Rangers have signed defender Rafael Fernandes on loan until the end of the season.
The 22-year-old joins from French club Lille, and the move includes an option to make the move permanent in the summer.
Fernandes came through the Sporting Lisbon academy before moving to the Portuguese club Arauca and then the French League, and he will provide defensive cover after several injuries this season.
Rangers have been searching for a centre-back since December, with Jon Sottar out since last month’s draw with Tottenham, while Dogon Sterling remains injured, and Feyenoord loanee Nraicho Kasanwerjo is out for the rest of the season.
“I’m very happy to be here,” he said after his move to Ibrox. “It’s been a club I’ve wanted to join ever since I heard about the interest, and I’m really happy to finally be here.
“My first impressions were really good, I met some of my colleagues and some of the staff and they all made me comfortable starting this new challenge.”
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Head coach Philippe Clement added: “He is a young defender who brings with him a lot of qualities that will be an asset to our team during the remainder of this season. He has a lot of potential, and I am looking forward to working with him.” “.
“We identified the defensive zone as an area we wanted to strengthen in this window, and it’s great to be able to add Rafael,” Rangers coach Nils Koppen said. “I’m sure he can continue to develop his game at Rangers, and I’m looking forward to that.” I look forward to seeing him challenge our defensive players to play in the coming weeks and months, and perhaps in the coming seasons as well.
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