Jefte to Rangers transfer 'confirmed' as he snubs APOEL interest for Ibrox move

Rangers have secured the transfer of Brazilian left-back Jefte, according to reports in Brazil.

Gers had agreed a deal to sign the 20-year-old from Fluminense back in January only for his loan club APOEL to scupper it by refusing to allow him to get out of that deal early. Philippe Clement's interest remained but the Cypriots held an option to buy within their loan arrangement and were looking to take that up.

However, their vice-president admitted this week they were still waiting to hear back from the player on whether he would be returning on a permanent basis. And now it would appear that he will not, instead favouring a move to Glasgow and to the Ibrox men.

A Fluminense media channel reported: "Despite Apoel's interest in keeping the player, Jefte will be a player for Rangers, in Scotland, from July onwards. Deal confirmed."

Jefte will replace Borna Barisic in the squad and compete with Ridvan Yilmaz for a game at left-back. Barisic is out of contract and will move on, with Trabzonspor his likely destination along with teammate John Lundstram.

It is also believed Rangers are close to signing a second defender - Panama international Jose Cordoba from Bulgarian side Levski Sofia. Personal terms have been agreed and a transfer fee must be thrashed out but it's thought the two clubs aren't far away.