Cyriel Dessers has completed his move to Greek side Panathinaikos, departing Rangers after just over two years with the club.
The Nigerian forward has agreed a fee of an initial £3.5m that will see the striker head to Athens on a reported three-year deal.
The Super Eagles international joined Rangers from Italian side Cremonese in 2023, signed by Michael Beale for a fee of around £4.3m, and played 115 matches across all competitions, scoring 52 goals. He won a League Cup winners medal during his time at Ibrox.
Head coach Russell Martin spoke to the media following yesterday’s 0-0 Old Firm draw with Celtic at Ibrox on the striker’s future.
He said Dessers had "probably played his last game" for the club and that now looks true as the striker departs. A controversial figure during his time in Scotland, Dessers has an excellent goal record but was guilty of misfiring on big occasions, and taking several chances to score a goal.
He did however, have some big moments in Blue, two goals against Celtic, and a fabulous strike away to Manchester United were highlights, with his biggest moment being a fantastic solo goal in an away win against Real Betis in the UEFA Europa League.
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Arriving in Athens this morning Dessers spoke to the media ahead of his move, he said: “I played with Rangers against Panathinaikos and I saw the atmosphere with my own eyes.
"Panathinaikos are a very good team. Of course, Rangers went through in the end, but I was impressed with them. I also saw the history, and it is a great club.
"In the games against Panathinaikos, I noticed that they created a lot of chances and they get the ball into the box a lot.
"My game is getting into the box and scoring as many goals as possible. Many strikers will tell you that their only target is to score a lot of goals.
"But for me, the most important thing is to get victories and win titles because that's all that's left at the end of your career.
"To win games, you need goals and I hope I can help with that. Last year we played in the Europa League against Olympiacos. I remember it was a good game and I scored a beautiful goal.
"I hope the Panathinaikos fans remember this and it can be the start of a good relationship with them.”
A warm and friendly figure around the training centre, Dessers is the second striker to depart the club this week, following Hamza Igamane’s move to French Ligue 1 side Lille for £10.4m.
Rangers signed Bojan Miovski to replace the departing Moroccan, whilst Everton forward Youssef Chermiti has arrived to replace Dessers, pending an official announcement. The Portuguese former Sporting Lisbon striker was at the training centre this morning after completing his medical in Manchester yesterday.
Rangers will pay an initial £8m for the striker, without a first team goal in two years, and will link up with the side during the international break.