Cyriel Dessers has experienced a rollercoaster of a ride at Rangers thus far.
The Nigerian striker was the second-most expensive signing of the summer for the Ibrox club as former boss Michael Beale set about rebuilding the first-team squad.
With the money spent on Dessers, big things were expected of the former Feyenoord frontman who – alongside fellow summer recruit Danilo – was tasked with replacing the void left by Alfredo Morelos.
But just like the beginning of Rangers’ 2023/24 season, Dessers started life in a Light Blue jersey horribly. He was slammed left, right and centre for his inept performances and rightly so.
In essence, Beale couldn’t get a tune out of him – as well as the rest of the squad – and ultimately the Englishman was sacked in October.
But enter new Ibrox boss Philippe Clement and a complete and utter transformation of Dessers’ fortunes at Rangers. Since the Belgian took over, Gers have been flying high and Dessers is now firing on all cylinders for the club.
Here is absolutely everything you need to know about Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers as we answer all of your frequently asked questions.
How old is Cyriel Dessers?
Cyriel Dessers was born on December 8, 1994 in the eastern Belgian city Tongeren. He was born to a Nigerian mother and a Belgian father.
At time of writing, Dessers is 29 years old.
Cyriel Dessers mother
Cyriel Dessers’ mother is Sophie Bakry who hails form Lagos in Nigeria. The 52-year-old previously worked as a flight attendant in Belgium.
In August 2020, she told Het Laaste Nieuws what she wanted her son Cyriel to become when he grew up.
She said: “The family had wanted him to be a lawyer and not the professional footballer he has turned out to be.”
Cyriel Desser agent
Cyriel Dessers is signed to the agency Stirr Associates. This was confirmed when the Belgium-based organisation posted on Instagram to announce the striker’s move to Rangers in the summer of 2023.
The likes of Toby Alderweireld and Dries Mertens have also been tied to Stirr Associates.
How much did Rangers pay for Cyriel Dessers?
Cyriel Dessers was announced as a Rangers player on July 6, 2023 on a four-year contract from Italian side Cremonese.
Rangers forked out a transfer fee of approximately £4.5m to recruit Dessers.
What number is Cyriel Dessers for Rangers?
The Nigerian forward was handed the No9 shirt number for Rangers on his arrival to the club.
Antonio Colak previously wore the No9 jersey for the Ibrox giants before he was sold to Italian outfit Parma.
Cyriel Dessers song lyrics
In January 2024 during a Rangers victory over Hibs at Easter Road, Cyriel Dessers was serenaded by Gers fans after they, quite literally, changed their tune over the striker.
His song is sung to the tune of Cockerel Chorus’ single ‘Nice One Cyril’ which was released in February 1973. Here are the lyrics:
Nice one Cyriel, nice one son
Number nine for Rangers
He’s scoring goals for fun
(Repeat)
Cyriel Dessers stats and goals
Cyriel Dessers has represented nine clubs throughout his professional career including Rangers. Dessers made a name for himself at Dutch side NAC Breda in 2016/17 as he fired them to Eredivisie promotion.
Prolific spells at FC Utrecht and Heracles Almelo followed before moving to Belgian giants Genk on a four-year deal during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dessers would win the Belgian Cup with Genk in 2021 but would return to the Netherlands the following season on loan to Feyenoord.
He performed admirably for the Dutch giants but they decided not to make his loan a permanent switch. Dessers left Genk for Cremonese in the summer of 2022 but he failed to set the heather alight in Serie A.
One year later, Michael Beale signed him for Rangers for around £4.5m on a four-year deal. Stats below as per Transfermarkt:
- OH Leuven – 2 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists (2014)
- Lokeren – 40 appearances, 7 goals, 2 assists (2014-2016)
- NAC Breda – 40 appearances, 29 goals, 13 assists (2016-2017)
- FC Utrecht – 57 appearances, 19 goals, 7 assists (2017-2019)
- Heracles Almelo – 29 appearances, 18 goals, 6 assists (2019-2020)
- Genk – 43 appearances, 11 goals, 6 assists (2020-2022)
- Feyenoord (loan) – 41 appearances, 20 goals, 4 assists (2021-2022)
- Cremonese – 29 appearances, 7 goals, 2 assists (2022-2023)
- Rangers – 40 appearances, 16 goals, 7 assists (2023-present)
