Rangers FC head coach Russell Martin has expressed his excitement over the signing of Nigeria-eligible talent Emmanuel Fernandez, Soccernet.ng reports.
Shortly after the departure of Leon Balogun, the Super Eagles-eligible defender joined the club on a four-year deal from English side Peterborough United.
The 23-year-old centre-back, who has Nigerian roots and carries the Yoruba names Olusegun Opeyemi, arrives in Glasgow after an impressive season in League One, where he made 42 appearances and caught the eye with his commanding presence and goal-scoring ability.
Reacting to Fernandez’s arrival, Martin weighed in on the young defender’s physical attributes, leadership qualities, and potential to grow within the Rangers’ setup.
“Emmanuel is a young defender with a huge amount of potential, and I am excited to welcome him to the club,” Martin said via Rangers FC’s official club website.
“He has a strong physical presence, is a commanding defender, and I believe in this environment we can help him develop and provide him with the opportunities to take his game to the next level.”
The Rangers boss is confident that the club’s competitive atmosphere will help Fernandez transition quickly and flourish in Scottish football.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming him into the group and getting to work,” Martin added.
Fernandez joins a squad that already boasts Super Eagles forward Cyriel Dessers and fills the void left by veteran Nigerian defender Leon Balogun, whose contract expired at the end of last season.
At 23, Fernandez’s performances at his new club are expected to pique the interest of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, who will be looking to sharpen his defensive setup.
