Senegalese forward Abdallah Sima will spend another season on loan from English Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion after Scottish Premiership runners-up Rangers announced the 22-year-old’s arrival. Reports indicate that there is no option for Rangers to purchase Sima permanently but the forward is anticipated to play an important role for the 2023-24 campaign. Rangers qualified for the qualifying stages of the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League after finishing second to rivals Celtic last season.
Sima was one of the few bright spots last season while on loan to French club Angers who were relegated following the 2022-23 Ligue 1 season. The native of Dakar scored six goals and provided one assist over thirty-five matches for Angers after struggling to find playing time due to injuries during his previous loan to EFL Championship club Stoke City during the 2021-22 season. Rangers head coach Michael Beale praised the versatility of Sima, stating that “he has excellent variety in his game” and remarking that Sima can play multiple attacking positions.
The Senegalese forward previously made his name at Czech top division side Slavia Prague, where he accumulated sixteen goals and five assists in all competitions during the 2020-21 season after joining from fellow Czech side Taborsko. Sima also spent time at French club Thonon Évian who spotted him in Senegal while playing for amateur club FC Medina. Parent club Brighton signed Sima for €8 million following his successful season with Slavia Prague where he signed a four-year contract.
