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Under-the-radar Ibrox signing features for Rangers as Amad Diallo steals the show

Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 08: Johnly Yfeko of Leicester City during The Premier League 2 match between Leicester City and Derby County at Leicester City Training Ground on February 8, 2021 in Seagrave, Leicester, England. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images

Rangers made a host of January signings but none flew quite as under the radar as the deal to sign teenage defender Johnly Yfeko.

The Gers made headlines on deadline day in January by snapping up Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey on loan until the end of the season.

The earlier loan signing of Manchester United wonderkid Amad Diallo was a major coup too, whilst James Sands and Mateusz Zukowski also arrived.

Yfeko also joined though, with the 18-year-old defender securing a contract after a successful trial spell with Rangers.

Released by Leicester City last summer, Yfeko had also been on trial at Southampton but signed for Rangers without much fanfare.

Capable of playing at left back or centre back and arriving from the Leicester City ranks, there are clear parallels between Yfeko and current Rangers ace Calvin Bassey.

On Monday, Rangers played a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford, with the game finishing 2-2 at Auchenhowie.

Diallo stole the show with two goals, whilst Christian Eriksen bagged two assists for Brentford as he ramps up his return.

There was an appearance for Yfeko too though, as he came on for first-team defender Leon Balogun at half time.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 08: Johnly Yfeko of Leicester City during The Premier League 2 match between Leicester City and Derby County at Leicester City Training Ground on February 8, 2021 in Seagrave, Leicester, England. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images

45 minutes against talented opposition is a major show of faith from Rangers, even if was only a friendly.

You look at the other youngsters who came on in that game; Alex Lowry, Charlie McCann, Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Juan Alegria.

All are considered to be top talents in the Rangers ranks and some arrived with much more attention than Yfeko got with his late January move.

With this appearance against Brentford, Yfeko had the chance to impress Giovanni van Bronckhorst – and who knows, maybe he can join Bassey in the first team one day.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Johnly Yfeko of Leicester City during the Leicester City development squad training session at Belvoir Drive Training Complex on September 07th, 2020 in Leicester, United Kingdom.  (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images