Director ‘thrilled’ to sign  Belgian professional forward with 99 goals in 82 appearances Rangers wanted, joins in record £12m deal

Chicago Fire, an MLS team, has confirmed that they defeated multiple “other teams” in their pursuit of Hugo Cuypers. The Rangers-linked striker has secured a club-record move away from KAA Gent.

Considering the amount Chicago Fire ultimately had to pay to transfer Cuypers across the Atlantic, it’s surprising that Ibrox was ever considered as a possible landing spot.

According to reports, the Illinois-based group could pay an astounding £12 million, add-ons included. A price that surpasses the agreement that saw Xherdan Shaqiri, a former winger for Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool, march into Soldier Field in 2022.

Rangers’ pursuit of Cuypers was genuine, according to Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri, who downplayed the team’s interest in Emmanuel Dennis and Steven Alzate at the beginning of the window.

But Rangers’ hopes of bringing one of the most prolific forwards in European football to Glasgow quickly vanished once it became clear how much Chicago Fire were willing to pay to completely destroy their rivals.

Rangers-connected striker completes club-record move

According to the MLS website, Georg Heitz, the sporting director of the Chicago Fire, said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Hugo Cuypers to the club.”

“We have put a lot of effort into finding a striker who is in the prime of their career and has a strong goal-scoring record in a very competitive league.”

Cuypers most definitely is. He comes after scoring 16 goals in the first half of the current season, when he scored 34 goals for Gent the previous season.

“Over the past few seasons, Hugo has been among the top goal scorers in the Belgian first division. Heitz continues, “And he had a very strong desire to join the Fire and help us achieve our goal of becoming one of the top clubs in MLS, despite receiving interest from other teams.”
Hugo is going to be a really valuable addition to our team, we are sure of it. When the 2024 MLS season gets underway in Chicago, we are excited to have him there.

At Ibrox, new faces make an impression

At least Rangers were able to bolster a talented but unreliable front line. After joining on loan from Wolves, Fabio Silva made his debut in the 3-0 victory over Livingston last week. Meanwhile, Oscar Cortes made an impression against Aberdeen at home a few days ago while starting off the bench, earning praise from Philippe Clement.

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