A proper player trading model is multi-faceted in that it doesn’t just involve buying players for low fees before selling them for big ones.
It needs to include; not selling players for less than we paid for them, securing fees for our own talent through the academy and turning pre-contract signings into million pound sales, however, the gold standard will always be identifying talented players from all over the world who go on to become regulars at a top five league club – these are the ones who bring in the largest fees.
If it was easy, every club would be able to do it but picking out a 16 or 17-year old before they make an impact at senior level and become too expensive is the name of the game, last summer saw an influx of domestic talent but a recent report in The Rangers Review suggests that we are not starting to look further afield.
Alex Yiga of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Soccer Academy has arrived in the country for a trial with the 16-year old determined to be a success and seal a life changing move to Rangers:
“I will give my all to make sure that I succeed and I am retained in Scotland.
“This is a big opportunity that I have been yearning and working for in my life.
“I thank my mother, coaches, Festoweb sports management and everybody who has contributed a brick to my football career.”
Yiga is a creative midfielder and would be signed for the academy squad at Under-18 level in the first instance but this is the sort of scouting and networking that we need to have moving forwards. We have a massive platform for exceptional young talents to showcase their ability as Leon King proved earlier in the season in the Champions League and this should make the recruitment team’s job easier.
Competition for promising youngsters will always be tough but we have the stature, facilities and, hopefully, pathway that should entice the likes of Yiga – if they are good enough, that is.