Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers sold the Portuguese centre-back last summer.
What a turnaround it’s been for Rangers flop Fabio Cardoso.
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard inherited the Portuguese centre-back, but decided to move him on last summer instead of use him.
And now that might be a mistake, given by how well he did last term.
Cardoso, signed by former Gers boss Pedro Caixinha nearly two years ago, joined Santa Clara and helped them to a 10th-placed finish in Portugal’s top flight last season.
Not only that, but the 25-year-old named in the Primera Liga Team of the Year by one Portuguese newspaper.
The Primera Liga might not be, say, Spain, Italy or England, but there’s a lot of formidable players over there and being considered one of the best defenders is a huge feather in his cap.
Centre-back was a problem area for Rangers last season. Joe Worrall wasn’t a good signing and has since returned to parent club Nottingham Forest, while Gareth McAuley added virtually nothing.
Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic both had good first years in Glasgow, but it was a long season in terms of games and Gerrard needed a third, reliable figure.
And maybe, in light of his performances this past season, it was a mistake to let go of Cardoso.
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