Sandaza, Kyle and Emilson sign up as Rangers make triple swoop

Published on 08/08/2012 04:13

RANGERS made a triple signing ahead of last night’s League Cup game against East Fife with the capture of strikers Fran Sandaza and Kevin Kyle and defender Emilson Cribari.

Sandaza, the former Dundee United and St Johnstone player, came close to signing a pre-contract agreement with Rangers back in January before the deal fell through. Since then Rangers have had a turbulent six months, ending in the newco club’s SPL application being rejected and a move to the Third Division ensuing.

Despite the problems at the club, Sandaza revealed he always wanted to play for Rangers ever since he first moved to Scotland back in 2008 and yesterday penned a two-year deal. The 27-year-old Spaniard said: “I’m delighted to finally come here and to play for this great club. I wanted to come in January but that didn’t happen. I’m happy that it’s done now and I can’t wait to start playing for this team. When I arrived four years ago I didn’t speak any English but I knew I wanted to play for a big club like this, at Ibrox in front of a full stadium.”

Kyle, 31, has signed a one-year contract at Ibrox. The Scotland international was unattached following a string of injuries over the past couple of seasons.

Kyle, who last played for Hearts before a hip problem led to him being released in March, has labelled his move to Rangers as a “massive opportunity”.

“There is only one attraction, and I’m sure that’s the same for all the signings: this is Rangers, it doesn’t get any bigger than this,” said the striker.

“It’s a massive opportunity and there aren’t many people who get a chance like this in Scotland. When it came to me I had to pinch myself. When I got in here for a week I told myself I was going to work so hard and prove that I can do a job here.”

Capped ten times by his country, Kyle had spells with several English clubs, most notably Sunderland and Coventry, before moving to Scotland when he joined Kilmarnock in 2009. He trained with St Johnstone and Dunfermline over the summer before a trial at Rangers led to his 12-month deal.

Brazilian Emilson, 32, had been on trial at Ibrox and, like Sandaza, has signed a two-year deal with the club.

“The club is famous in my country because it has such a strong history, so it was an easy decision for me to make when I had the chance to sign,” said the former Udinese and Napoli defender.

Emilson was unavailable for selection last night but should be match-fit within two weeks.

“I have been training in Brazil on my own and with a personal coach, so I am fit and ready to play,” he said. “I need seven to ten days of training with the team to make sure I am at full strength, but I am ready to play and I am delighted to be here.”