Shropshire Star

Rangers snap up prolific Colombian Alfredo Morelos to bolster Europa League tilt

The 20-year-old striker has joined from Finnish side HJK Helsink on a three-year deal.

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Striker Alfredo Morelos will be part of Rangers’ Europa League squad after the Ibrox side beat UEFA’s transfer deadline to seal his signature.

The Ibrox outfit confirmed the signing of the 20-year-old from Finnish side HJK Helsink on a three-year deal just hours after learning their first two qualifying-round opponents.

Boss Pedro Caixinha is pinning his hopes on the youngster’s deadly scoring record as he prepares the Light Blues for their first European clash in six years.

Gers have been drawn against Progres Niederkorn of Luxembourg, with the winner of that tie progressing to a second-round showdown with Cypriots AEL Limassol or St Joseph’s of Gibraltar.

Morelos is eligible to feature in those first-round clashes with Niederkorn after work permit and visa documents were granted ahead of Monday’s registration deadline.

Colombian Under-20s international Morelos hit 17 goals in 19 appearances for HJK this season, following last term’s 30-goal haul.

He becomes Gers’ sixth summer signing after the earlier arrivals of Bruno Alves, Ryan Jack, Dalcio, Fabio Cardoso and Daniel Candeias.

Morelos – who has cost Gers a fee Press Association Sport understands to be around £1million – is keen to carry on his hot scoring streak at Ibrox.

He told the Rangers website: “I’m very happy – I’m really grateful to God and my family who have supported me in the best way to do things well every day.

“This club has such a big support, so I have to make the most of it. It’s safe to say that Rangers is a really big club and I’m happy with the support the fans have shown me already – it’s been the best.

“I want to show the fans here what I did every day in Finland – to grow more as a player and as a person.

“I did some research on the internet about the history and games – I know that it’s a really big club and that they’ve played in really big tournaments.

“I found out a lot of interesting things – it’s a really big club here so I want to make the most of this opportunity.

“I want to do things the best way and try to do well in very match and every training session, to win trophies and to be a regular first team player.

“I know it won’t be easy – it’s going to be difficult because other team-mates will also be focused on this too.

“I need to do things well every day and when I have the opportunity to play, to enjoy it and to continue to score goals and to grow more as a person and player.”

He excited Rangers fans by adding: “The most important thing is that I score goals – when the opportunity is there, I score.”

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