Rangers transfer officially ruled out as midfielder secures £2.3m move to the Middle East
15/02/2025 19:00
The Saudi Pro League may not have made the dent in European football that it may have hoped, but there has been enough Ibrox-themed topics to ensure a passing interest from many at Rangers.
How would Steven Gerrard, the man who guided Rangers to their only Premiership title of the last decade, rebuild his career after that ill-fated spell at Aston Villa? Well, he wouldn’t, really.
Amid constant questions over his commitment to the Al-Ettifaq cause – it’s never a good idea admitting you schedule training around Liverpool’s kick-off times – Gerrard departed Saudi Arabia by ‘mutual consent’ after just 18 months.
The Anfield legend leaves Fashion Sakala behind at Al-Ettifaq. And while his manager largely underwhelmed in the dugout – it’s fair to say Rangers fans are not exactly begging Steven Gerrard to return and replace an under-fire Philippe Clement – Sakala has at least proven to be far more of a success.
Damian Garcia follows Rangers alumni to the Middle East
With 22 goals in all competitions, Fashion Sakala finished above Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez and Karim Benzema – Roberto Firmino, too – while securing a place on the podium alongside Aleksandar Mitrovic and Cristiano Ronaldo in last season’s Golden Boot battle.
Sakala has now been joined in Saudi Arabia by a former Ibrox teammate. Ex-Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara joined Al-Shabab after a disappointing spell with Rennes in France.
In another world, Damian Garcia might have joined Rangers as Kamara’s replacement when the Fin moved south of the border with Leeds United.
At the time, Uruguay Under-20 international Garcia wanted to stay at his beloved Penarol for at least another year, however. A decision he will argue was justified when Penarol claimed the Uruguayan league title in 2024.
Garcia’s eventual departure finally came about, meanwhile, just two months later.
But with Rangers looking closer to home in the shape of Lyall Cameron – the Dundee ace will join in the summer – Garcia is the latest player heading east in an attempt to boost the profile of Middle Eastern football across the globe.
Saudi Arabia is not his destination, however. Damian Garcia instead moves to Dubai. While Kamara is now plying his trade for Al-Shabab, Garcia joins their UAE-based near-namesakes Shabab Al Ahli.
In an emotional farewell, the highly-rated 21-year-old insists this was not an easy decision. Penarol, he says, ‘is everything to me. It’s my life’.
But this was simply an opportunity he could not turn down
Garcia explains shock decision to leave Uruguay for Dubai
“It is a very important step in my career, both for me and for my family,” Garcia says. “It will be difficult for me to adapt, there will be many changes, [but] we worked until the last minute so that this could happen.
“It was achieved and we are happy.
“Penarol is everything to me. It is my life. If it weren't for Penarol, I wouldn't be here. The people gave me the best send-off. Penarol’s fans are the biggest in all of Uruguay, and in the world, you could say, because it’s inexplicable what you feel when you enter the field.
"At Penarol, I leave the doors open for the young players [to take my place].”
Shabab Al Ahli have reportedly spent just £2.3 million on the youngster.
