Rangers youngster Serge Atakayi has left Ibrox, heading off to Finland on loan until the end of the season, as reported by The Scottish Sun.
The 20-year-old has joined top-flight outfit SJK Seinajoki in an attempt to get the senior football he needs to make the next step in his development as an attacker.
The deal is something of a surprise considering you don’t often seen loans happen between domestic transfer windows but the league over there is only kicking off this weekend.
The Finnish U19 international will be in familiar surroundings as he learns his trade and already has one start to his name, playing in today’s 2-0 win over Helsinki IFK.
He made his senior debut for Rangers back in November, coming off the bench in a 7-1 thrashing against Motherwell and catching the eyes of supporters, many of whom reckon he has a part to play in Steven Gerrard’s squad moving forward.
His current contract at Ibrox doesn’t expire until 2020 so he still has time to prove to the manager he can be worthy of a squad place.
Fans are expecting big things and hope the loan move will give him the confidence to make a first-team push next term, taking to Twitter to share their thoughts on the deal…
Good luck son. Big next season ahead. Get sharp.
— Bluerhap. (@rhapger) April 4, 2019
Time to push on. Get some games under your belt at a competitive level and come back stronger and ready next season.
— Petrocelli (@caltat) April 4, 2019
Make sure the lad comes back and gets a chance tho
— JB Foster (@foss669) April 5, 2019
Good luck laddie. Hope to see you back in Glasgow soon
— ＣＡＩＬＥＡＮ (@CAILEAN_UK) April 4, 2019
I hope this is a loan with his future at ibrox in mind??
This kid is the future for Rangers ????????
Good luck anyway I hope the loans a success although I’m sure it will be ????????— Garry (@ibrox_noise) April 4, 2019
Good luck. Can’t wait to see you part of the first team in the future ????
— Pretty Blue (@pretty_blue82) April 4, 2019
Hope to see you back in the Rangers first team squad next season ????
— Fiona W (@fio_w) April 4, 2019
Do you think Serge Atakayi has a future at Rangers? Have your say in the comments below…