Rangers star bids emotional farewell to club as he confirms spell has ‘come to an end'
RANGERS will be hoping to shift some players out of the club this summer.
But one man who doesn't appear to have an Ibrox future is on his way BACK.
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Joe Cifuentes played 29 times in the Greek Super League for Aris Thessaloniki
Credit: Alamy
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He now looks set to return to Rangers
Credit: Willie Vass
Jose Cifuentes was a key transfer target for Michael Beale when he was Rangers manager.
The Ecuador international signed a pre-contract deal in the summer of 2023 to join the Light Blues the following January following the conclusion of the MLS season.
But the Gers would get the deal done early, paying LAFC £1.2million to land Cifuentes just as the 2023/24 campaign was getting started.
The midfielder, capped 21 times by his country, struggled.
He made just nine appearances in the league and wasn't able to make much of an impact.
Beale was sacked as Gers boss at the beginning of October and Cifuentes found opportunities hard to come by under his replacement Philippe Clement.
In February 2024, just six months after joining the Gers, Cifuentes was on the way out.
He joined Cruzeiro on loan but his time in Brazil would also come to an end after just six months.
That loan agreement was terminated and Cifuentes then headed for Greece, joining Aris Thessaloniki on a season-long loan last August.
He would become a key man for Aris, appearing 29 times in the league.
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The club secured European football after finishing fifth and they'll enter the Conference League qualifiers.
Aris had the option to sign Cifuentes permanently in a £3m deal but they missed the deadline at the end of May to make it happen.
They indicated to Rangers they couldn't afford the fee and re-entered negotiations with the Light Blues.
But no agreement was reached and Cifuentes has now bid an emotional farewell to Aris.
He'll now head back to Rangers and looks set to show new boss Russell Martin what he can do.
Taking to Instagram, Cifuentes said: "Thank you, Aris!
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"Teammates, coaching staff, fans, and club personnel: It has been a pleasure to share this season with all of you—a season full of challenges that has now come to an end.
"On behalf of myself and my family, I thank you for everything we have experienced, and I wish you all the best for the upcoming season!"
Cifuentes still has two years left to run on his Rangers contract.
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