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Rangers FC Close to Signing Arsenal Wonderkid on a Season Long Loan

By Robert Molnar

Rangers Ibrox Stadium (Credit: Tom Brogan -- Flickr Creative Commons)
Rangers Ibrox Stadium (Credit: Tom Brogan -- Flickr Creative Commons) /
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Fallen from grace Scottish giants Rangers FC are close to finalizing a season long loan deal for American Gedion Zelalem. Belfast Live are reporting that manager Mark Warburton has already had face-to-face talks with the 18-year old with a possible deal imminent.

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The Arsenal player is one of the club’s highest touted youth stars and easily the most anticipated player’s in American soccer this side of Freddy Adu. Joining the the Gunners at the age of 16, Gedion Zelalem has received praise at every level including comparison’s to former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Rangers FC are currently located in the second division of Scottish football after losing in last season’s promotion playoff final. With the club desperate to return to the top of Scotland with Old Firm rivals and defending Premiership champions Celtic.

Many involved with English football believed that the American would join another English club this season, possibly at the Championship level. However, joining Rangers FC is possibly the best solution to help Gedion Zelalem continue in his development.

Showing off his talent in a recent U-21 fixture for Arsenal, Gedion Zelalem has easily outgrown the level of play his is currently stuck at.

The skills shown against Fulham were not a one time thing either. Gedion Zelalem impressed as a member of the United Stars U-20 World Cup team this past summer, helping Tab Ramos’ squad to a quarterfinal’s appearance.

Also joining Rangers FC this past summer have been Tottenham youngsters Nathan Oduwa and Dominic Ball. Playing with such quality players of the same age will provide the American with a major boost in both his confidence and development.

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Turning 19 next January, Gedion Zelalem could take a strong season at Rangers and parlay that into a possible first team position at Emirates Stadium. With the loaded midfield currently playing at Arsenal, that could be a tough ask for the future American star.

Rangers FC will not only give Gedion Zelalem the first team minutes that the young player needs to develop, but also will allow the player to adjust to life at a major club and what it’s like to play in front of thousands of the clubs supporters.

The move will also give Gedion Zelalem a chance to prove his worth to Arsenal. Rather than wasting away with the U-21 team for another season, a move to Rangers will allow the American to showcase his skills on a first team level.

Whether the young American takes advantage of that is another question. However, Gedion Zelalem has not been compared to Cesc Fabregas and other Arsenal greats for no reason. This opportunity is his chance to show the world what type of player he is and who he could become.

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