CLINTON NSIALA says he’s ‘honoured’ to join a club with the stature of Rangers as he gets down to work under Philippe Clement in pre-season.
The 20-year-old defender officially begins his Light Blues journey today after making the switch from AC Milan where he spent the last three years.
Nsiala was a regular in the youth ranks for the Italian side, helping the Under-19s side to the final of the UEFA Youth League last term.
And taking his first steps in senior football at Rangers, the Frenchman believes he has joined the perfect environment to match his ambitions.
Speaking to RangersTV in his first interview as a Gers player, Nsiala said: “First of all, there’s a huge sense of pride.
“This club is legendary, with lots of titles and lots of prestige, including in Europe. I’m honestly very honoured to sign for this club.
“I know it’s a club that the fans are very committed to. They put so much heart in getting behind the team in every competition.
“I feel a big sense of responsibility, and lots of anticipation and excitement about experiencing the atmosphere too.
“I know he [the manager] coached at Monaco, as well as in the Belgian league. He always puts a lot of faith in young players. As a young player, that was a big factor for me in my decision to come to Glasgow.
“It helps to have a coach like Philippe Clement. He gives a lot of support to young players, and that doesn’t make it feel like a big step.
“Having a coach like that will help me progress, so I’m not focused on the step up from academy to senior level.”
Nsiala was only 17-years-old when he joined the youth set-up at AC Milan after impressing sufficiently as a teenager at Nantes.
It is a career that has spanned three countries already, collecting life experiences that should serve the young defender well in his adaptation to life at Rangers.
The 20-year-old recalls fondly the experience of being called up to the matchday squad for Milan’s UEFA Champions League group stage outings last season, and says he’s excited to get down to work with his new teammates in Glasgow.
He added: “Being an elite athlete, it’s normal to experience different environments, to move to different countries and travel to different continents frequently.
“I don’t see it as an obstacle, it’s just part of the job.
“As a player my qualities are technique, aggression and anticipation.
“I started playing football when I was six-years-old at CPB Brequigny in my hometown of Rennes.
“After that I moved to FC Nantes, then I signed for AC Milan, where I spent three seasons. And now today I’m at Rangers.
“I had some unforgettable experiences [at AC Milan], particularly the first time I was in a matchday squad was in the Champions League against Newcastle.
“Those are moments I’ll never forget. I was in the squad for Europa League and Serie A games too.
“Being up close to players like that every day in training taught me about the demands expected at that level.
“Technically, everyone is at more or less the same level. But what makes the difference is the demands you place on yourself, whether that’s on an individual or a team level.
“Being here just now makes me so excited. Excited, but also calm and always humble.
“But I’m really excited to get to know the staff, the atmosphere, the players, and the fans too.
“I am so excited all round, but I’m staying calm and humble too.”
Watch a short trailer below on Clinton Nsiala signing for Rangers or RangersTV subscribers can watch in full HERE.