CYRIEL Dessers hopes his experience playing across Europe can stand him in good stead at Rangers as he shared his excitement at joining the club on a four-year-deal.
The 28-year-old, who has played in Belgium, Holland and Italy, became Michael Beale’s sixth signing of the summer transfer window, joining from US Cremonese.
Dessers said conversations with the manager, and ex-Rangers defender and Nigeria teammate Leon Balogun helped him get a feel for the club as he looks to make an impact in Scotland.
Speaking exclusively to RangersTV, he said: “I am looking forward to being in the locker room, being on the pitch and just enjoying football.
“I'm 28-years-old now, I am at the peak of my career. I have the experience, but I am still physically very good, and I feel very well so I hope to put that together and to become important here.
“The first impressions have been good, the training ground is really beautiful and it is inviting to work hard and to be professional and that is what I was looking for.
It’s not official until you see that scarf, @CyrielDessers knows the script 😉 https://t.co/LKXc96ZldL pic.twitter.com/Wd5eJcOqJ4
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 6, 2023
“The history of the club, the fans, the stadium, it's massive here but next to that I look at what is here at this moment. I had really good talks with Mr Beale about his plans, the idea of what he wants on and off the pitch and I thought that could be a really good fit for me and for the team, so I am happy to be here.
“I spoke with my teammate from Nigeria’s national team, Leon Balogun, he was very positive about the club, the coach, the people around, the staff and the city.”
When asked about what he is like as a player, Dessers believes he is a ‘modern striker’ and hopes he can bring an attacking threat to the team.
He continued: “I think I am quite a modern striker, I think I am quite complete, I can play in the combination, I can make the runs deep but I think my main threat is making goals. I hope that I can bring that to the team as well and help us to win games and hopefully also trophies.”
Dessers says he can’t wait to witness a full Ibrox in person, as he thanked the supporters for the positive messages he has received since joining the club.
He continued: “I have watched Rangers games in Europe and if you see it here at Ibrox with the stadium lights on in the evening it is very special, and I can't wait to witness it in person.
“Already over the past month, I have had tons of messages from the fans, so I want to thank them first of all for the support and the love. I hope I can give something back with my performances on the pitch.”
RangersTV subscribers can go exclusively behind the scenes on the day Cyriel Dessers joined Rangers or you can watch a short trailer below.