The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Fashion statement made by Ibrox men
Rangers have secured the signing of Zambia attacker Fashion Sakala from Belgian side KV Oostende.
Sakala has signed a precontract agreement and will join on a four-year deal in the summer.
The 24-year-old has scored 13 goals in 29 Jupiler League games this season to put Oostende on course to qualify for the Europa League. His team-mates include on-loan Celtic defender Jack Hendry.
Rangers described the forward as “powerful and pacy”.
Sakala said on Rangers’ website: “I am very much excited to start this exciting journey with Rangers. It has been one of my dreams and I feel like this is a dream come true to join Rangers – one of the greatest clubs in the world.
“They have a great fanbase and a great history, and I believe we will share great memories together.
“As a player, you always strive to play for others – that is the most important strength which keeps me going.
“I know that Rangers have great players and I am looking forward to learning from them and delivering.”
Manager Steven Gerrard claimed Sakala had the attributes to thrive on the European stage as Rangers embark on a Champions League qualification push.
Sporting director Ross Wilson feels the capture is a significant step in their planning for next term.
“He had a number of exciting clubs he could move to this summer, but his enthusiasm to join Rangers was clear from early on in our discussions,” Wilson added.
“Fashion has had an excellent season in Belgium and we believe he will develop further still working with all of our staff at the training ground.
“Fashion is a determined, humble and positive guy and we are sure he will fit the group here.
“We wanted to add more pace and power to the group across January and
the summer and I am pleased that we have done that, firstly with Scott Wright and now with Fashion Sakala.
“I know Steven and the coaches are excited to work with Fashion and I am sure that he will further enhance his growing reputation here with Rangers.”
Meanwhile Gerrard has revealed the Ibrox club have opened talks with Jermain Defoe as they plot out the next stage of the veteran striker’s career.
The 38-year-old former England forward proved he can still play a part for Gerrard’s newly-crowned champions as he rounded off Sunday’s 4-1 Old Firm mauling of Celtic.
His first derby strike was
the ex-west Ham, Tottenham and Portsmouth man’s sixth goal in 18 outings this term.
But with Defoe’s Ibrox deal expiring next month, he has been linked with a potential return south of the border to Sunderland, should Lee Johnson’s team seal promotion to the Sky Bet Championship through the League One play-offs.
However, Defoe has also opened up on his desire to move into coaching as he winds down his playing career.
Now Gerrard has confirmed discussions have taken place to map out the frontman’s future.
“It goes without saying that Jermain Defoe is someone I have the
ultimate respect and admiration for,” the Rangers boss said.
“He’s been a wonderful player. He’s had a wonderful career. To get him up here in the first place was something I was keen to do, because I knew he would help the group in the way he goes about his business. He’s a top professional.
“We’re in talks with Jermain at the moment about what’s next for Jermain. But we want to be really respectful, we want to give him the time to make his own decisions.
“I think he’s at a stage in his life where we’ll listen to Jermain and see what he wants to do moving forward.”