Rangers are reportedly closing in on a deal for APOEL loanee and Fluminense academy graduate Jefte.
The young Brazilian left-back, 20, is currently on loan in Cyprus with the agreement of APOEL said to be the final hurdle in securing a deal with Fluminense.
Rangers have finally got their man after a series of protracted links at left-back, only it’s a man that literally no-one in Scotland can claim to have had the inside track on.
But to give fans a little more information on the background of Jefte, we’ve spoken to Brazilian football expert Rogerio Junior of Vamo Fluminense on what the young talent can bring to Ibrox.
Fluminense expert talks Rangers target Jefte
OK, Rangers look to be closing in on a deal for Jefte, what kind of player are they getting?
“He is a promising left-back, but in Brazil he was unable to become a professional. He is usually an offensive player, who scores goals and provides assists. Being young, he is very athletic and can support and defend practically the entire 90 minutes.”
Can you tell us about his career background? Was he ever close to becoming a Fluminense regular? What’s the story of his time there?
“At Fluminense he was only listed once in the professionals, in a game in which the club sent the reserve team to the field. He didn’t enter, so he didn’t play any games as a professional in Brazil. He was seen by Fluminense with a lot of potential, he was very prominent in Fluminense’s junior teams, he was even the team’s captain, in 2023 he played 28 games for the under-20s, scored 5 goals and provided three assists.”
Why did he head out on loan to Apoel?
“As he would not have space in the main team, Fluminense agreed to loan Jefte to Apoel so he could gain experience as a professional, this practice is very common in Brazil.”
He’s a Brazilian youth international – what is his standing in the game over there?
“Yes, he has been called up a few times for the youth teams, but recently he hasn’t been called up anymore. Played for the Brazilian under-18 team two years ago.”
Is there anything else which might be of interest to Rangers fans?
“In my opinion, he is a player still in training, he is not a left-back who is ready. But he’s a great bet for the future, he has potential, if he works well, he could be a useful player for Rangers.”
What is his level/limit and how far do you see him going in the game?
“I don’t see him being an extra-class player, at the level of Marcelo, Filipe Luis and other prominent Brazilian left-backs. But I believe he can be a useful player.”
Rogerio Junior is an author on Vamo Fluminense and the Editor-in-Chief of Football and Digital Acquisition, in Brazil for GRV Media.
