Rangers have officially announced the signing of highly sought-after Romanian left-back Kevin Ciubotaru.
The move was announced by the Ibrox club’s B Team account with the 17-year-old going into the Ibrox second string as they compete in the Lowland League.
Formerly of Rapid Vienna, Rangers are said to have pipped a host of top clubs to the signing of Kevin Ciubotaru and he joins fellow Romanian Ianis Hagi at the club.
A product of the Kinetic Foundation, their co-founder Harry Hudson told the Scotsman that he reckons the youngster has a “very high ceiling”.
“Kevin is a Romanian youth international,” said Hudson.
“Plays left back or can play left wing back. Very attack minded. Powerful runner, good dribbler, gets forward well and contributes really well in the offensive phases.
“Defensively he’s worked really hard with us so he covers both those sides of his game. He’s very good aerially, a strong player with an exceptionally high ceiling so looking forward to seeing how he gets on and watching his progress at Rangers.”
Founded in response to the London riots of 2011, Kinetic have helped produce a range of top players such as Josh Maja and Rangers’ very own Joe Aribo.
Athletic journalist Jordan Campbell also went on to discuss a potential partnership between Rangers and the foundation with the relationship at present described as “informal”.
Rangers pip top clubs to sign Kevin Ciubotaru
Kevin Ciubotaru also expressed his delight at joining Rangers with the Ibrox club said to have pipped up to nine clubs to sign the youngster.
Speaking as the deal neared it’s official conclusion, Ciubotaru claimed that a range of top clubs down south had taken an interest in his services and branded the Gers an “extraordinary club”.
“I had trials and training at Chelsea, Spurs, West Ham, Watford, Southampton, Brentford,” said Ciubotaru [Daily Record].
“”I first went to Chelsea in 2019 and it opened my eyes to British football, but I did not feel ready for it yet. I also went to Barnet for a spell because Edgar Davids was the manager there.
“They wanted to sign me, while Sheffield United and Leicester City offered to sign me up for their Academies.
“The interest from Rangers was unusual because they were looking at videos of one of my colleagues and spotted me instead. They wanted more details and within a week they sent me a plane ticket and I flew to Glasgow.
“Rangers are an extraordinary club, with a superb training base, impeccable conditions and a special section dedicated to their own academy
“I just want to make the most of this incredible opportunity in my career.”
Interestingly, there were claims previously that issues surrounding Brexit rules and young players were to blame for the youngster not getting an opportunity a few years ago.
As for what kind of player Ciubotaru describes himself as, the youngster styles his play on AC Milan star Theo Hernandez, for whom the Rossoneri paid £18m to sign from Real Madrid in 2019 [Sporting News].
“Firstly, my aim is to return to the Romanian Under 21 team now I am at Rangers,” said Kevin Ciubotaru.
“I think my qualities are speed, dribbling and stamina. I style myself like Theo Hernandez from Milan, although I have a lot of work to do with my right foot. I still have a lot to learn of course.”
Meanwhile, Rangers have been linked with a move for a Dutch youth international as his contract ticks down in Turkey.
