Reported Rangers transfer target Marijan Čabraja has officially joined Dinamo Zagreb from HNK Gorica [Gnkdinamo.hr].
In December, the left-back claimed that the Gers had made contact with him about a possible transfer if Borna Barisic were to leave Ibrox in the January transfer window [Sportske Novosti].
Barisic ultimately stayed put, but Gorica still managed to cash in on their asset.
Gorica president Nenad Crnko wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday that Čabraja had sealed a switch to Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb that was the ‘second largest transfer in the history’ of his club.
Sportske Novosti subsequently reported that the fee was in the region of £2m and Dinamo confirmed the transfer on Monday evening, with the full-back penning a ‘multi-year’ deal.
“I am extremely happy and proud of this moment at signing for Dinamo,” said Čabraja [Gnkdinamo.hr] (translated). “I returned to the club where I have played in young teams since 2012, where I spent much of my childhood and with work, effort and commitment formed into a professional player.”
“I will do my best in the Dinamo jersey and thank the club for showing me confidence again in this way. I look forward to the return as well as all the challenges that follow. I would like to thank the management and employees of HNK Gorica for all the opportunities I received.”
Čabraja’s agent’s prediction that his client’s next transfer would be to a top five European league [Daily Record] has proven to be incorrect, but a move to the current Croatian champions is still a step up.
The transfer may complicate things if the Gers are genuinely looking at Čabraja as a long-term replacement for Barisic.
Yet, with the impressive Calvin Bassey and Academy prospect James Maxwell already tied to long-term Ibrox contracts, Rangers are in a strong position in terms of their options at left-back.
Rangers also look to have missed out on an electric teenage winger who has reportedly signed a pre-contract agreement with a Premier League giant despite Ibrox interest.
