Fashion Sakala confirms Rangers transfer exit ‘with a heavy heart’ with online announcement
Fashion Sakala has confirmed his exit from Rangers as he becomes the latest player sacrificed as part of Michael Beale’s overhaul at Ibrox.
The Zambian posted on Twitter Monday night (7 August) a message of thanks to the club and the fans, with a full goodbye letter attached containing a message to his “beloved Rangers Football Club, teammates, management, and cherished Rangers fans.”
The 26-year-old paid tribute to the “profound impact” his time in Glasgow has had on him while announcing his exit with the words “today marks the end of an unforgettable chapter in my life”.
Sakala, who leaves after two years with 91 appearances for the club which included 24 goals and 15 assists, said he leaves “with a heavy heart, yet a spirit of gratitude”.
Another one gone
On his day Sakala has been unplayable in the SPFL but his consistency has sometimes infuriated sections of the fanbase.
It appears that with big money spent by Beale on buying Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers and Danilo in attack, with the additional loan signing of Abdallah Sima, there simply wasn’t space in the squad to keep Sakala too.
The Gers boss needs to trim his playing staff while bringing in some cash after an extremely busy summer, with the possibility of a final signing or two before the deadline if the money is right.
Things got off to the worst possible start with a 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock on the opening day (5 August) to leave Rangers three points behind Celtic already, in the sort of game where Sakala’s directness has often proven the difference.
But it is a new era at Ibrox this season and with Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and Antonio Colak all gone already, and Scott Wright expected to follow, the attack is very different now.
The manager will badly need his expensive signings to get to grips with Scottish football fast after drawing a blank in their first competitive match, as he is already under pressure and playing catch up.
In other Rangers news, even after nine incoming deals the Light Blues have been tipped to make “one of their best signings of the summer” still.