Rangers have continued with their policy of snapping up some of Britain's most talented youngsters by signing Hibs kid Connor Young.
The Ibrox outfit have splashed a five-figure sum and agreed to a significant sell-on should the 17-year-old attacker realise his full potential. Rangers have recently bolstered their youth ranks with the signings of much-sought Zak Lovelace from Millwall, Everton's Cammy Bell, Archie Stevens of Wimbledon and Motherwell starlet Bailey Rice - and Scotland youth cap Young has become the latest acquisition.
Ibrox head of academy, Craig Mulholland, said: “We are delighted to welcome Connor to Rangers. He is a player that David Stevenson and our recruitment team have tracked for some time along with our technical staff who have seen him have some excellent performances against our own group.
“We believe that Connor has attributes that can be developed further working under David, Brian and their multi-disciplinary staff team. We look forward to seeing Connor link up with the likes of Robbie Ure, who has been with the first team in Portugal and is a player who has been in the Academy since he was eight years old and Zak Lovelace, an England international who joined us from Millwall.
“This is further evidence of our multi-faceted strategy to develop players all the way through the Academy, recruit the best talent in Scotland and also ensure we are competitive and leading with cross border recruitment. Welcome to Rangers, Connor.”
Announcing that the teenager was leaving Hibs, Academy director Steve Kean said: “Connor was part of a very successful U18 side last season, and scored a lot of goals, so it’s no surprise that there has been interest in him. Last season there were a number of scouts from Scotland and England watching our games, which is testament to the young players we have in the Academy and the coaching curriculum that we’re offering at Hibernian FC.
“Alongside Ethan Laidlaw and Josh O’Connor, Connor was one of the strikers that did well last season, and his departure allows those two to have a clearer pathway towards the First Team. We’re really excited about the potential that Ethan and Josh have. Ethan was away with Scotland’s Under-17s this summer for the Euros, and Josh made a cameo appearance for the First Team last season away at Aberdeen. They’re both pacey strikers that love to get in-behind defences and cause opposition players problems.
“We received a very good amount for Connor, alongside his sell-on, and that allows us to give more opportunities to Ethan and Josh. We have a strong belief that if they can continue their upward trajectory, they have every chance to be first team players in the future.”
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