By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

28th Jul, 2023 | 9:43am

Rangers to announce Jose Cifuentes deal after Visas secured - sources

Rangers are ready to announce the signing of Los Angeles FC midfielder Jose Cifuentes after securing all the necessary visas for his arrival, sources have told Football Insider.

The Gers are expected to make the 24-year-old’s signing official early next week after drawn-out negotiations with the player and the Major League Soccer outfit.

As confirmed by Rangers boss Michael Beale (21 July), Cifuentes had already agreed a pre-contract with the Glasgow giants which would have seen him join the club in January 2024.

However, the Ibrox outfit have now reached a full agreement with LAFC to bring the playmaker to Scotland in the summer window.

The two sides have been ironing out the details over Cifuentes’ exact release fee and had been in advanced talks for days before striking a deal.

Football Insider first revealed the Gers’ interest in the midfielder back in April when he was also a top target for Premier League and La Liga sides.

Leeds United and Espanyol were among the clubs keeping tabs on the Ecuador international – but it is Rangers who have made him their latest signing.

Cifuentes has already netted two goals and offered up five assists for in 26 appearances for LAFC this season.

He has managed 15 goals and 20 assists in 121 appearances since joining the MLS expansion franchise in 2020.

Rangers have already completed seven signings so far this summer ahead of the Scottish Premiership’s kick-off on 5 August.

Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers, Dujon Sterling, Kieran Dowell, Jack Butland, Leon Balogun and Abdullah Sima have all joined up at Ibrox.

In other news, striker agrees England move after Rangers exit.