Rangers transfer news: Rafael Fernandes joins on loan from Lille as Gers make first signing of January | Football news

Rangers have signed defender Rafael Fernandes on loan until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old joins from French club Lille, and the move includes an option to make the move permanent in the summer.

Fernandes came through Sporting Lisbon’s academy before moving to Portuguese club Arauca and then Ligue 1, and will provide more defensive options for coach Philippe Clement after several injuries this season.

Rangers have been searching for a centre-back since December, with Jon Sottar out since last month’s draw with Tottenham, while Dogon Sterling remains injured, and Feyenoord loanee Neraycho Kasanwerjo out for the rest of the season.

“I’m very happy to be here,” he said after his move to Ibrox. “It’s been a club I’ve wanted to join ever since I heard about the interest, and I’m really happy to finally be here.

“My first impressions were really good, I met some of my colleagues and some of the staff and they all made me comfortable starting this new challenge.”

Clement added: “He is a young defender who brings with him a lot of qualities that will be useful to our team during the remainder of this season. He has a lot of potential, and I am looking forward to working with him.”

“We identified the defensive zone as an area we wanted to strengthen in this window, and it’s great to be able to add Rafael,” Rangers coach Nils Koppen said. “I’m sure he can continue to develop his game at Rangers, and I’m looking forward to that.” I look forward to seeing him challenge our defensive players to play in the coming weeks and months, and perhaps in the coming seasons as well.

Clement: Rangers should sell in January

Gers coach Clement has revealed that the club will need to sell players during the current transfer window.

Winger Rabbi Matondo, midfielder Kieran Doyle and striker Cyril Desires have all been linked with a move away from Ibrox.

He said: “I never talk about individual cases and names in this way because it is always about the right price for each player. It has to be a win-win for everyone.”

“It will be necessary for the club (to sell players during this window). This is the club’s decision as was the case in the summer. This is the situation at the moment.”