Danilo just cannot catch a break. After leaving Rangers and returning to the Eredivisie with high-flying NEC Nijmegen, it has not taken long for lady luck to turn on him once again.
Former Ajax, FC Twente and Feyenoord striker Danilo struggled with injuries throughout his Ibrox stint.
During two-and-a-half years in Scotland, the luckless Brazilian missed around 50 Rangers games due to a variety of issues. From knee surgery to a shoulder problem and even a fractured cheekbone.
So when Danilo joined NEC Nijmegen on loan during the January transfer window, he did so hoping to jump-start a career which had been blighted by spells on the treatment table.
Typically, Danilo has now been ruled out of NEC’s clash with runaway Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven on Saturday night.
Another injury for Rangers loanee Danilo as NEC host PSV
According to De Telegraaf, ‘Danilo will definitely not be available’. Neither NEC nor coach Dick Schreuder have confirmed the extent or even the identity of the striker’s latest injury, though they and he will be praying that it will not require another lengthy spell away from the field.
Danilo had played in five successive Eredivisie matches for Europa League-chasing NEC, albeit without managing to find the net.
“It was a bit tense,” Danilo told Voetbal International in February, lifting the lid on his deadline day departure from Ibrox. “Credit to everyone within the club who worked hard to make it happen.
“At Rangers, it really took until the very last moment to get a new player in [Ryan Naderi arrived form Hansa Rostock to replace Danilo], so there was always some apprehension. Fortunately, it all worked out.
“I have been very well received here and I feel good too. In the coming period, I hope to build an even better rapport with the team. Every player wants to be in the starting line-up and be important.
“Hopefully, I will get the chance to show what I can do.”
NEC Nijmegen have an option to buy clause in Danilo’s contract, though it is not quite certain at this stage how much of that £6 million outlay Rangers could recoup.
One suspects that NEC will be in no rush to stump up a considerable fee – at least by their standards – if Danilo cannot rid himself of the fitness issues which continue to beset his career.
Youssef Chermiti scoops two Scottish Premiership awards
The recent revival of Youssef Chermiti was one of the key factors behind Rangers allowing Danilo to seek a fresh start in the winter.
After a hat-trick against league leaders Hearts, Chermiti channelled Wayne Rooney against Celtic; a stunning overhead kick which saw him secure both the Scottish Premiership’s Goal of the Month and Player of the Month prizes.
“Yeah, obviously it was a great month for me. I think the team did well as well, so I think it was good for everyone,” Chermiti told Sky Sports News ahead of Sunday’s trip to St Mirren. “I’ve been trying that goal for a few times, but yeah, fortunately it happens in this game.
“Old Firm games are good to score, as I said before, so it was a really good moment for me.
“I feel more confident in the team, with my teammates, with the fans, they give me a lot of love now. The manager, everyone in the club helping me, so that’s really good for me.
“I think everyone is looking for the same target. Everyone believes we can win the league. We’ve got 27 points to go, nine games, so that’s the most important thing for us, so we’re going to look forward, game by game, and we’ll see.”
