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Caixinha waxes lyrical about Carlos Pena, claims he has tracked him for nearly five years

Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha before the match (REUTERS)
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Rangers have snapped up Mexican international midfielder Carlos Pena.

Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha before the matchRangers manager Pedro Caixinha

Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha has told the club’s official website that he has been tracking new signing Carlos Pena since 2012.

The Gers had already completed six summer signings by bringing in Bruno Alves, Fabio Cardoso, Ryan Jack, Dalcio, Daniel Candeias and Alfredo Morelos, but six became eight earlier this evening.

General View of Ibrox StadiumGeneral View of Ibrox Stadium

After lengthy transfer sagas surrounding work permits and paperwork, Rangers finally tied up deals for two Mexican internationals today, luring midfielder Carlos Pena and striker Eduardo Herrera to Ibrox.

Whilst Herrera reunites with his former Santos Laguna boss Pedro Caixinha, the Rangers manager is particularly excited about working with Pena.

The 27-year-old has been one of the key figures in Mexican football in recent years, emerging as an athletic, combative and goalscoring midfielder for both Club Leon and Guadalajara.

Mexico midfielder Carlos PenaMexico midfielder Carlos Pena

Now, Pena joins Rangers in a bid to become a success in Europe, and manager Caixinha has raved about the midfielder after he put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal with the Gers.

Caixinha has revealed to the club’s official website that he has been tracking Pena since the end of 2012, meaning he has finally got his man after almost five years of pursuing him.

Carlos Pena in action for MexicoCarlos Pena in action for Mexico

Caixinha added that Pena can bring everything to this Rangers team; carrying the ball, scoring goals and also playing ‘fantastic football’ given that he has good technique and finishing ability, making this an exciting addition for Caixinha and Rangers.

“I’ve been following this player’s career from the end of 2012,” said Caixinha. “When I arrived in Mexico we were preparing everything to start the season, as you know their season is divided into two blocks. Carlos was playing for Leon in the play-offs and he was great. Since that moment I have been passionate about this player because he represents everything I want on the pitch in that number 8 position and he can give you everything.”

“Travelling from the back and arriving in the box, scoring goals and playing fantastic football, I believe he can fit totally into our way and our philosophy at this club and Scottish football as well. He has a very nice touch, very good finishing and as I said he’s very good at arriving in the box and that is the reason he has scored a lot of goals,” he added.

Are you excited about Pena’s move to Rangers?