Jose Cifuentes has another year left on his contract at Rangers, signing a four-year deal when he joined in 2023.
Last season, the Ecuador international was out on loan at MLS club Toronto FC, making 27 appearances for them.
The 27-year-old could have been at the World Cup as well, but he picked up a knee injury towards the end of the season, which ruled him out for a couple of months.
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Toronto announce that Jose Cifuentes has returned to Ibrox
Toronto announced, on Monday, via their official website, that Jose Cifuentes will be returning to Rangers following his loan spell.
They had the option to secure his services on a permanent basis at the end of his loan, but they clearly have opted against it.
It may have come as a surprise to some at Ibrox, as the Ecuadorian was doing well in Canada and was a regular for the club.
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However, they probably will have considered his injury record and weighed it up against the finances involved in bringing him back permanently.
Now, the Gers have a decision to make on the 27-year-old, who they thought would probably not return to Ibrox again.
Derek McInnes is now in charge and will probably assess the midfielder in pre-season training before making a decision on a potential sale.
Will Rangers look to cash in on Cifuentes?
Cifuentes is in the last year of his deal at Ibrox, so unless he’s signing a new contract, this will be the last summer transfer window the Light Blues have to cash in on him.
Even if he stays at Rangers, he will be a squad player who could contest for starting cup games.
It makes a lot of sense for the Gers to move on from him, as he would probably be the fifth or sixth choice.
Also, they will have to consider his fitness record and the fact that he struggled to cope with the physicality in Scotland.
There is a very good chance that the club have already started to offer him to other sides in Europe and he’s unlikely to play again for Rangers.
