NERAYSHO KASANWIRJO says he can’t wait to play infront of the Rangers supporters after making the switch from Feyenoord on a season-long loan deal.
The 22-year-old defender counts Jong Ajax, FC Groningen, Feyenoord and Rapid Vienna among his CV and becomes the third defensive addition to Philippe Clement’s side this summer following the arrivals of Jefte, Clinton Nsiala and Robin Propper.
And the Dutchman says his conversations with the Gers boss were key in convincing him that the Light Blues was the right next step in his fledgling career.
Speaking to RangersTV after signing for the club, the defender said: “I’m very excited to join the club and play for the fans.
“I spoke with the coach who had a good feeling, and the most important thing for me is to play and help the team as much as I can.
“It’s a really big and traditional club. There are a lot of memories and you need to win games. I want to win and bring the level of the team up, so it’s a good step for me.
“I’m a feeling person, and it’s what the coach and assistant coach told me about the club. You need to play with your heart and that’s what I like. I think this is a really good club for me to play with my heart and show what I can do.
“I had my first conversation with the manager yesterday. It was a good feeling and I know the coach already from Club Brugge.
“I spoke with a few guys who he had in the past and they all said the same thing about him.”
Despite having only turned 22 earlier this year, Kasanwirjo has garnered experience in his homeland and, most recently, has represented the Netherlands at Under-21 level.
The defender believes Rangers is the perfect next step in his football journey and cited the prospect of playing European football as a key factor in his decision to join the club.
He added: “Everyone wants to play in Europe, and that was an extra step for me to join Rangers.
“I’m very excited because who wouldn’t want to play infront of 51,000 people? I can’t wait to meet them and I will give my all.
“It’s nice facilities. The stadium and training complex are really beautiful, so it’s been good so far.
“I was in Holland with my friends and family [yesterday]. I was playing at Feyenoord still, and around 8pm yesterday evening my agent rang me and said we were going to Rangers.
“I was like ‘okay’, packed my bags, I said to my mum, and we flew in the morning.
“I played in the youth teams at Ajax until the Under-21s. I made the step a little bit lower to play games, then I played for a season and a half with FC Groningen.
“I made my transfer to Feyenoord before going on loan to Rapid Vienna, and now I am here.
“I’m a defender who likes to play with the ball, but obviously I can play in my duels and I’m both fast and strong. That’s what the coach is looking for.”