Rangers yesterday completed three signings as Ally McCoist strengthened his squad ahead of the 12-month registration embargo that begins on September 1.
The strikers Kevin Kyle and Francisco Sandaza, and the Brazilian defender Emilson Cribari, agreed terms to join the Ibrox side despite its Irn-Bru Third Division status.
Kyle signed a one-year contract and will have to prove his fitness if the deal is to be extended as injury has disrupted much of the last 18 months of his career. The centre-forward was released at the end of last season by Hearts, and had been training with Dunfermline Athletic before agreeing to a trial period at Murray Park. The 31-year-old did enough to persuade McCoist that he could contribute this season.
"There is only one attraction and I'm sure it's the same for all the signings: this is Rangers, it doesn't get any bigger than this," Kyle said. "I had to pinch myself. When I got in here for a week I told myself I was going to work so hard and prove that I can do a job. The aim is to do well and hopefully the manager comes knocking on my door to extend it. Regardless of whether it's the third division or the Dog and Duck Sunday League it's still Rangers and it's a great opportunity to play here."
Rangers had tried last season to sign Sandaza on a pre-contract agreement while he was at St Johnstone, where he scored 18 goals. As a free agent, Sandaza claimed to have offers from a Spanish second division side and from clubs in Cyprus and Greece, but instead signed a three-year deal at Ibrox, on a reported £5000 net a week.
"I'm delighted to finally come here and to play for this great club," Sandaza said. "I had long holidays and I didn't think I would come back to Scotland, but it seems it was my destiny. When I arrived four years ago I didn't speak any English but I knew I wanted to play for a big club like this, at Ibrox in front of a full stadium. It's a long project and we start from zero but I'll go for it and I think we will come back soon. I will do my best to be a part of that."
Emilson, a 32-year-old centre-back, has signed from Brazilian side Cruzeiro, but has experience in Europe with Udinese, Lazio, Siena and Napoli. "I got a very good impression when I spoke with the manager and the stadium and the training facilities are excellent," he said. "The club is famous in my country because it has such a strong history, so it was an easy decision for me to make when I had the chance to sign."
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