Bundesliga outfit Mainz have unveiled new £6 million signing Angelo Fulgini after fighting off competition from Rangers for the Angers playmaker, as reported by the club’s official website.
It’s been a mixed couple of days for Rangers in the transfer market.
On one hand, Rabbi Matondo has joined fellow Wales international Tom Lawrence at Ibrox. On the other, Old Firm rivals Celtic look set to snatch St Mirren starlet Dylan Reid from under Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s nose while Theo Bongonda is on his way to the UAE.
Fulgini, meanwhile, will be strutting his stuff in Mainz’s number ten shirt next term. This comes after Rangers had several bids rejected by Angers, per L’Equipe.
Mainz beat Rangers to Angelo Fulgini
“He is known for his set-pieces and his ability to make the difference on the pitch,” says Mainz’s sporting director Martin Schmidt. “Angelo is in his prime, and the type of player who we have been missing in our squad.
“Angelo was very eager to join us, which was very important,” adds head coach Bo Svensson. “His technical quality will definitely strengthen our attacking midfield. He’s a number 10; Maybe not a traditional one, but he works hard for his team.
“Angelo’s also a top guy, who will fit Mainz 05 and the club’s style of play fantastically.”
Fulgini, at £6 million, feels like a bargain. It’s not long since the likes of Crystal Palace and Newcastle United were being linked with a deal that would have set them back twice as much for a defence-splitting playmaker who provided five goals and four assists for a relegation-threatened Angers side last term.
And, explaining his decision to join Mainz despite interest from Glasgow and elsewhere, Fulgini insisted that the opportunity to play in one of Europe’s major leagues was a major factor.
“I really wanted to play in the Bundesliga,” says the former France U21 international. “There were a few clubs who were interested in me, but Mainz is the right club.
“I had a lot of good discussions with Bo Svensson, but also (former captain and now-Nottingham Forest defender) Moussa Niakhate, who is a close friend of mine and said some wonderful things about the club which convinced me to come.”
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