Daisuke Yokota's first European trip as a Rangers player will take him back to familiar surroundings.
The Japanese winger has travelled with Derek McInnes' squad to Poland after completing his move from Hannover yesterday, and he could make his debut against opponents he already knows well.
Yokota returns to Poland
Before establishing himself in German football, Yokota spent a year in the Polish Ekstraklasa with Gornik Zabrze, where he made a strong impression and earned a move to Gent in January 2024 before eventually joining Hannover on loan last season, and making the move permanent early this summer before his switch to Glasgow.
His time in Poland means Thursday night's UEFA Europa League qualifier against Jagiellonia Bialystok will not be a step into the unknown.
Yokota faced Jagiellonia on two occasions during his spell with Gornik and enjoyed a personal success against Rangers' upcoming opponents.
He assisted against the side when he first played against them in a 2-1 defeat in March 2023.
That previous experience could prove valuable as McInnes prepares his squad for what is expected to be a demanding first-leg encounter in Bialystok.
While many of Rangers' players will be visiting the city for the first time, Yokota already has experience of both the opposition and the challenges of playing in Poland's top flight.
McInnes continues squad rebuild
The winger became Rangers' ninth signing of the summer after arriving from Hannover in a deal worth an initial €3.3 million, with a further €700,000 payable in add-ons.
His arrival continues McInnes' extensive rebuild ahead of the new campaign and provides Rangers with another versatile attacking option capable of operating on either flank.
Rangers are also looking to register Yokota for European competition today, if approved it is a decision that would make him available for selection against Jagiellonia should McInnes decide to hand him an immediate debut.
Although the Scottish Premiership represents a new challenge, the Polish champions are certainly not unfamiliar opponents for the Japanese winger.
That previous knowledge may not decide the tie on its own, but it offers Rangers an additional source of insight as they look to secure a positive result before next week's return leg at Ibrox.
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