Rangers continue to make plans for the future after The Athletic revealed that American midfielder, Francis Jacobs, is set to head to Ibrox this summer.
Orange County may ring a bell with some Gers fans as the club that we currently have a partnership agreement with, goalkeeper Aaron Cervantes has joined already but because of current restrictions is yet to arrive in Glasgow.
Jacobs is something of a prospect in the States being the youngest ever professional footballer, breaking the previous record of Football Manager sensation Freddy Adu.
Reporting for The Athletic, Jordan Campbell gave an update on the transfer:
“The midfielder, who has a UK passport, turned pro in August 2019 at the age of 14 years, four months and 29 days, making him a few weeks younger than the much-hyped Freddy Adu when he signed his deal with DC United in 2003.
“Adu never fulfilled his potential but there are high hopes that Jacobs, who was deemed physically mature enough to be accelerated into a first-team environment at such a young age, will be allowed to develop without the same intense pressure.”
Rangers have sent a few players across the Atlantic already, Cammy Palmer – who is no longer with the club – Matthew Shiels and Danny Finlayson, Jamie Barjonas was due to complete a permanent move but it has recently been called off.
Will Jacobs make an impact at Rangers?
Yes
No
Orange County may play in America’s second tier but it opens up opportunities like these, getting first refusal on players could prove to be a huge asset in years to come, although Jacobs will come with high expectations, he won’t quite be expected to replicate the Rangers career of Claudio Reyna – well not straight away anyway.