Dessers reveals what 2019 AFCON bronze medallist told him before joining Rangers

Rangers have witnessed an influx of Nigerian talents in recent years, and Dessers is the latest to join the club

Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has revealed that Nigeria teammate Leon Balogun’s reassuring words were why he decided to move to Rangers, Soccernet reports.

Dessers just moved from Genk to Cremonese last summer. But the move did not go well, as the Italian side wobbled and fumbled to relegation.

The 28-year-old goal poacher only managed seven goals in 29 appearances for the club. However, former Scottish champions Rangers made him one of their transfer targets this summer.

The Super Eagles striker finally completed his move to the Scottish giants on Thursday. Speaking on his reason for teaming up with the Gers, the Belgium-born striker revealed that he reached out to Balogun before making a decision.

“It’s a big relief to be here[Rangers] finally. There’s been some long and stressful days, but it is a great feeling to be here finally,” Dessers said per Glasgow Live.

“The first interest came already a long time ago, I think four years ago; I spoke via my emails with Nigerian national team Leon Balogun about the club.

“He was very positive about it, about the club, the coach, the people around the staff, the city. So yeah, that was an affirmation to go through it.”

Balogun was at Rangers between 2020-2022. He made 40 appearances in his two seasons and helped the club win the Scottish Premiership title once. He was part of the Super Eagles team that finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.