Rangers manager Danny Röhl mainly utilised Danilo as a substitute at Ibrox this season.
He played 561 minutes in the league from 14 matches. This includes six starts and Danilo made two more starts for Rangers in the Europa League.
On February 3rd, the striker left Ibrox after Rangers let him join NEC Nijmegen on loan with an option to buy.
Three days later, NEC Nijmegen technical director Carlos Aalbers said the purchase clause gives them control over the Rangers man’s future.
How NEC Nijmegen convinced Rangers player
The Brazilian first moved to Europe when Ajax signed him for their youth team in 2018. During his time with the Amsterdam club, he had a loan spell at FC Twente. Ajax then sold him to Feyenoord in 2022 and a year later, Danilo arrived at Ibrox.
Voetbal International interviewed the 26-year-old and asked about his decision to leave Rangers for join NEC Nijmegen on loan.
Responding to that, he said: “I already knew the club, of course. The people here are straightforward and friendly, and everyone wants to work hard.
“The conversations with the manager were excellent. He showed me how much energy this team has on the pitch and what the club’s ambitions are. That really helped me with my decision.”
“NEC want to get ahead, and I think I can contribute to that. I’m 26; when I left the Netherlands, I was 23. I’ve gotten older and better abroad.”
Danilo wants to convince NEC Nijmegen
The Rangers man made two appearances for the Eredivisie side and is in contention to feature against Ajax later today.
NEC Nijmegen are third in the table, level on points with fourth placed Ajax, and three points behind second placed Feyenoord. It’s unclear whether the former will buy Danilo from Röhl’s side irrespective of whether they qualify for Europe.
The Rangers owned player, for his part, wants to convince the Dutch club to buy him.
“We’ll see if that happens. It’ll take a while, and I’ve only just arrived. I first have to show what I can do and convince the club to exercise that option. Hopefully, we have some exciting months ahead,” Danilo explained.
