Rangers ‘complete’ second summer signing as Jefte arrives

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Rangers ‘complete’ second summer signing as Jefte arrives
Gent's Matisse Samoise and Apoel's Jefte pictured in action during a soccer game between Cypriot APOEL FC and Belgian KAA Gent, Thursday 31 August 2023 in Strovolos, Cyprus, the return leg of the play-off for the UEFA Europa Conference League competition. BELGA PHOTO GEORGE CHRISTOPHOROU (Photo by GEORGE CHRISTOPHOROU / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by GEORGE CHRISTOPHOROU/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

Rangers have reportedly completed the second signing of the summer transfer window following on from the Jose Cordoba reports, by cutting through the red tape and finally replacing Borna Barisic with long-time link Jefté Vital da Silva Dias, or Jefté to you and I, in an agreement sealed in January and now imminent.

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The left back was supposed to come in January, but current loan club Cypriots APOEL refused to allow him to leave their club early unless Rangers paid a compensation, which Rangers refused.

This left it as a summer deal, for Rangers to do business with parent club Fluminese and now with his having one year left on his contract with the Brazilians, Rangers have sorted the transfer out and he will be Borna Barisic’s replacement as the plan originally was.

It’s the second time Rangers have signed someone from the Greek and Cypriot leagues, having found Antonio Colak with Greek side PAOK (based in Macedonia) some seasons ago and now plucking Jefte from that part of the world as well.

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The fee is nominal, the left back is only 20 years of age and very much a planned deputy for Ridvan unless he remarkably impresses, and with just 12 months left on that contract APOEL won’t be able to command a fortune.

His numbers are good, 7 goals and assists in 33 appearances (22 league appearances, all goals and assists were in there) for his age that’s not bad and Rangers hope he’s going to be an assist king like peak Barisic.

But that’s down the line, the deal seems to be done and he becomes the second.

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Is he the calibre we need?

Honestly, it’s not blowing us away yet but hey ho.

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