MARK Warburton, the Rangers manager, has confirmed the club are closing in on the loan signing of playmaker Gedion Zelalem from Arsenal but he won’t be considered for Sunday’s Championship match against Hibs. The 18-year-old playmaker, who was born in Berlin but is a US citizen who has chosen to represent that nation at youth level, was given the tour of Ibrox and Murray Park on Tuesday and the Ibrox club are thought to have acted quickly to secure the services of the player amid interest from Fulham, Charlton Athletic and Birmingham.
“We’re getting very close and hopefully there will be news in the next 24 hours but he won’t feature on Sunday because it’s important any players who come into the squad get a chance to know them first,” said Warburton. “He’s an extremely talented ball player who sees a pass, is very creative and one of the young gems at Arsenal.”
Zelalem, who was born in Germany to Ethiopian parents before emigrating to the United States ten years ago, first came to Warburton’s attention as part of Arsenal’s side in the NextGen Series, the European youth tournament which he had a hand in setting up. He has since graduated all the way to a full Champions League appearance for Arsene Wenger’s side against Galatasaray and Warburton feels that playing in front of capacity crowds at Ibrox, even in the Scottish Championships, can be an effective next stage of his development.
“He’s either a No 8 or No 10, a creator, who is good on the ball, slight in frame but a very clever footballer,” said Warburton. “He has work to do but he’s going out on loan to develop. He is nowhere near the finished article and we’ve got to help his development. I’m sure he’ll play a big role for us.”
Zelalem joins Tottenham duo Nathan Oduwa and Dominic Ball in the list of loan signings at the club, but Warburton has no issues with helping to develop players for other clubs. “I’m a huge believer in the loan market," he said. "If you get it right, do your homework and your due diligence on both sides it is enormously beneficial for everyone concerned. To play in front of 50,000 will be great for his development. We’ve got to use all our plus points. Where can Arsenal or Tottenham replicate playing at their own stadium? It’s at Ibrox.”
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