Qudus SalihuIn a move that has stunned the Ibrox faithful, Rangers have officially confirmed the departure of Brazilian striker Danilo just hours after the winter transfer window slammed shut. The 26-year-old has joined Dutch Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen on a loan deal until the end of the season, a move that includes a significant option to buy in the summer.
The announcement came as a surprise to many who expected the forward to remain part of Danny Röhl’s title-chasing squad, especially after he came off the bench to score in the recent victory over Dundee. However, it appears the deal was finalized in the final minutes of deadline day, held back only until the club secured the arrival of German striker Ryan Naderi from Hansa Rostock.
Danilo’s time in Glasgow has been a rollercoaster, plagued by serious injuries that prevented him from consistently hitting the heights expected of a £6 million signing. Despite making 28 appearances this season and contributing key goals, the emergence of Youssef Chermiti and the mid-season arrival of Bojan Miovski pushed the former Feyenoord man down the pecking order.
The “shock” nature of the exit stems from the timing; while rumors had circulated all January, most fans believed the window had passed without the Brazilian moving on. The club statement, released on February 3, 2026, thanked Danilo for his efforts, but the “option to buy” clause—reportedly worth around £6 million—suggests his long-term future may lie away from Scotland.
For Danny Röhl, the move represents a necessary squad clear-out to balance the books after a busy recruitment drive. For Danilo, a return to the Netherlands offers a chance to rediscover the clinical form that once made him one of the most feared strikers in the Eredivisie. As Rangers push for the Scottish Premiership title, they do so with a revamped frontline, leaving Danilo to begin a new chapter in Nijmegen.
Mustapha Sheidu
Qudus Salihu
Rabiu Aminu