‘Excellent progress’: Rangers coach ‘delighted’ by signing of 18-year-old prospect

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Glasgow Rangers have announced the signing of United States youth goalkeeper Aaron Cervantes for the Ibrox academy.

The 18-year-old’s switch from Orange County SC to the Rangers youth academy is the first professional deal to be struck since the two clubs forged a partnership in December 2019.

Cervantes has made 18 appearances for Orange County to date and represented the USA in the Under-17 World Cup in 2019.

The youngster has also played with the United States national team during the 2018 Four Nations Tournament and the 2018 Sportchain Cup in Spain.

Cervantes will continue to train in California until January, before heading to Europe on loan, where he’ll look to enhance his development and gain further first team experience.

“We are delighted to welcome Aaron to Rangers and have enjoyed watching his excellent progress with our partners at Orange County,” said Rangers head of academy Craig Mulholland.

“He has been exposed at an early age to first team football and will now continue this with a loan in Europe as part of this creative agreement.

“If these young talents show outstanding potential, then they can participate in a jointly developed plan to reach one of Europe’s biggest clubs making Orange County one of the most attractive options for the best young players in the US.”

TBR View:

For a player to have made 18 first-team appearances at just 18, it shows he’s a cut above and certainly in line for a step up, so it’s great to see Cervantes get snapped up by the Gers.

He’s highly rated at Orange County and looks very promising – let’s see what he can do when he comes to Europe on loan next year.