Former Rangers attacker Florian Kamberi had been left ‘stranded’ in Switzerland by visa issues since securing a deadline day move to Aberdeen [Evening Express].
Kamberi spent the second half of the curtailed 2019/20 season at Ibrox on loan from Hibernian, turning out nine times in all competitions and scoring a solitary goal against St Johnstone.
He impressed some supporters with his comments after joining the Gers and his subsequent effort levels but, ultimately, he didn’t do enough to earn a permanent deal and returned to Hibs when the season was ended.
The 25-year-old secured a permanent move away from Easter Road to St Gallen in the summer but things haven’t worked out for him there, either.
After failing to score in his first nine appearances, he fell down the pecking order and was made available for transfer in January.
Aberdeen eventually swooped, announcing his loan signing until the end of the season late on deadline day.
However, ten days on, Kamberi is yet to make his Dons debut and hasn’t even set foot in Scotland.
That’s because the player has been left ‘stranded’ in Switzerland due to delays with getting his work visa processed.
As a result, the former Gers loanee has missed consecutive 2-0 defeats for Aberdeen against Livingston and Hibernian and is facing a race against time to get into the country ahead of their home fixture against St Mirren on Saturday afternoon.
“Florian is maybe not going to be prolific in terms of scoring, but he will chip in with goals,” said Dons boss Derek McInnes [Evening Express]. “I think he makes other players better and links the play well.”
“He has the know-how of the Premiership and a pedigree. Not having him available for Hibs and Livingston was a blow. However, the adjustment and settling into the Scottish league will be fine for Florian.”
Rangers have already faced Aberdeen three times this season, winning all three matches, so Kamberi will only get the chance to come up against the Gers once before the end of the season.
He’ll likely be highly motivated for that game, though, given that Steven Gerrard decided against offering him a permanent contract.
Rangers’ next fixture is against Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon and their opponents have been dealt a blow in the build-up to the game.
