Why Rangers have done brilliant business by signing Umar Sadiq on loan

As per reports, Rangers have completed the signing of Umar Sadiq on a season-long loan from Roma.

The 21-year-old spent the majority of his Roma career out on loan and has enjoyed spells at Bologna and Torino, as well as Dutch side NAC Breda, where he scored 5 goals in 12 games last season.

Steven Gerrard has had no problem overseeing a large number of changes since being appointed by the Rangers. Sadiq has become Gerrard’s 9th summer signing and in bagging the young Nigeria’s signature, the Gers have certainly made a statement.

Rangers’ flurry of transfer activity is evidence enough to suggest Gerrard is determined to end Celtic’s dominance in Scotland. The former Liverpool skipper wants to bring back the glory days at Ibrox and to achieve that, Rangers have backed their new manager financially.

Speaking about Sadiq, he started his career at Abuja FC before moving to Italian outfit Spezia in 2013. After scoring a truckload of goals for Spezia, Roma snapped him up quickly, initially on a loan deal. The Nigerian greatly impressed for the Italian outfit and they eventually signed him on a permanent basis. Since then, however, Sadiq failed to make the grade at Roma and spent time on loan at Bologna and Torino.

After loan spells at Bologna and Torino, Sadiq moved to NAC Breda in the Netherlands on a short-term deal. In NAC colours, the 21-year-old impressed a lot last season and gave a glimpse of his top talent as he chipped in with 5 goals in 12 games.

Sadiq is a giant of a forward with sheer strength and aerial ability. Standing at 6ft 3in, the Nigerian is all about pace and power. He is a real handful for defenders both in the air and with the ball at his feet. At such a young age, his positional awareness and anticipation are excellent. Despite possessing a huge figure, Sadiq is a pacey customer who is a tad too lethal in the box.

The Nigerian ace is also a good passer of the ball and often makes surging runs into the opponents’ penalty box. Sadiq’s height and brute strength make him an ideal target man in the box and also gives him a greater edge during set-piece situations. He is adept at holding up the ball and always looks to bring his teammates into the game. Given his imposing figure and aerial presence, Gerrard can use the 21-year-old more often as a ‘Plan B’ to change the course of games.

Rangers’ decision to pursue a raw, inexperienced player in Sadiq shows the club’s ambition and courage. Sadiq is a rounded striker who, while is an untamed talent, has all the ingredients to take the Scottish Premier League by storm.