Disappointing departure for Cifu as much-anticipated acquisition ultimately didn’t fit with the Rangers.
After numerous false starts, Jose Cifuentes finally completed his move from Rangers today, just before the Brazilian deadline of March 7th. The agreement involves a loan deal with an option to buy. If Cifu performs well for his new team, Cruzeiro, during his time in South America, they will likely exercise this option by the end of the year.
Essentially, the Ecuadorian international has played his final game for Rangers. Unfortunately, his highly anticipated venture into European football didn’t pan out as expected. Rangers supporters initially viewed him as a valuable £15 million asset, considering his success in the MLS and his status as a key player for LAFC. While his signing might have seemed unconventional, he appeared to possess the qualities needed to thrive in Scottish football.
His early performances showed promise; he displayed strength, power, and sharp passing skills. However, he struggled to adapt to the overall style of play, particularly under the management of Michael Beale, who brought him to Scotland. Despite receiving playing time under both Beale and Philippe Clement, totaling 1300 minutes, he consistently seemed out of place and failed to make a significant impact.
It became evident that Cifu didn’t quite connect with the club or the city. Adjusting from the lifestyle in LA to the environment in Glasgow proved challenging, and he seemed overwhelmed by the faster pace of Scottish football, especially in competitions like the Champions League and Europa League.
Ultimately, Philippe Clement, the manager, wasn’t convinced by Cifuentes’ performances and didn’t see him fitting into his plans. While there are no hard feelings towards Cifu, it’s clear that he wasn’t the right fit for the club. Rangers supporters wish him the best in his future endeavors.
