Scottish Championship side Rangers have completed the loan signing of Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem until January.
Zelalem, 18, becomes Rangers’ 11th signing since Mark Warbuton replaced Stuart McCall as manager in June, with the club eager to win promotion back to the Scottish Premier League.
The USA youth international’s decision to move to the Ibrox Stadium provides him a great opportunity to play regular first-team football for one of Europe’s most infamous clubs. At the age of 18, Zelalem could not ask for much more.
“This is a great opportunity for me at a massive club. I was at the Hibernian game and the fans were incredible, so I’m looking forward to playing here,” Zelalem told RangersTV.
“Playing in front of 50,000 fans will replicate what it will be like at Arsenal, and the media spotlight is also similar.
“The manager wants to play great football too, and they were all factors in my decision to come here.
“Everyone knows the name ‘Glasgow Rangers’ so right away I was interested.”
Zelalem, who has made two senior appearances for the Gunners since joining from Olney Rangers in 2013, added: “The training is similar to what we do at Arsenal – everything is on the ground with possession-based stuff, so I’m getting used to it very quickly.
“The manager trusts young players – and you saw that in his time at Brentford. Jon Toral was on loan there last year, and he also plays for Arsenal, so I spoke to him and he had nothing but great things to say about the manager.
“Before I came, I had a look at the facilities the club has and they looked incredible, but you’re never sure until you are actually there.
“It’s definitely Champions League level though.”
Rangers are priced at 1/9 to win the Scottish Championship this season.
Mahrez not for sale
Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri has issued a warning to potential suitors for in-form winger Riyad Mahrez, insisting the player is not for sale at any price.
The Algeria international, who joined Leicester from French side Le Havre in January 2014, is currently enjoying the form of his life, having scored four goals in three English Premier League appearances for the Foxes this season.
“We don’t sell him so there is no price,” Ranieri said. “We won’t sell him so it’s much better if they (other clubs) don’t ask.
“I look at Riyad when we don’t have the ball, I’m trying to help him become the complete player, that is my job.
“I want to improve him in the offensive line. He is improving every day, it’s important for him because he can get better. He’s young and only 24.”
Mahrez, 24, is priced at 4.00 to score when Leicester visit the Vitality Stadium to take on newly-promoted Bournemouth on Saturday.
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