Striker Danilo has opened up on the injury problems that he believes derailed his Rangers career after returning to the Netherlands on loan with NEC Nijmegen.
The Brazilian forward joined Rangers from Feyenoord in the summer of 2023 for £6 million but struggled for game time this season, falling behind Youssef Chermiti and Bojan Miovski in the pecking order at Ibrox. The deadline-day arrival of Ryan Naderi from Hansa Rostock paved the way for Danilo’s loan move to NEC, who also hold an option to buy.
During his time at Rangers, Danilo scored 16 goals and helped the club lift the League Cup in 2024, but injuries hampered his consistency. Speaking to Der Gelderlander, he admitted that he was eager to reignite his career back home.
“That was absolutely crazy [the final days of the window],” he said. “I’m incredibly relieved everything worked out. I have to admit, I was quite nervous. The thought that the transfer might not go through briefly crossed my mind. Every time my agent contacted me for an update, I felt anxious.
“It was also a difficult situation for my wife, especially since she had just given birth. I was overjoyed when I heard the news that the deal was done. I desperately wanted to return to the Netherlands because I missed life here. The people are so friendly, and the surroundings are fantastic.
“NEC did a fantastic job making this possible. I’ve left all the stress behind and now I just want to enjoy being here.”
Danilo acknowledged that injuries had prevented him from getting his Rangers career off the ground during his two-and-a-half-year spell.
“That was mainly due to injuries. I was looking for a club where I could play more, and luckily NEC offered a solution,” he said.
Reflecting on his time in Scotland, he added:
“Scottish football, where you have to compete in many more duels as a striker, has made me much stronger. I left the Netherlands as a boy and returned as a man. It was a great experience, but I couldn’t fully express myself on the pitch.”
Despite the setbacks, Danilo insists his time at Rangers has helped him grow as a player, and he is determined to make the most of his fresh start at NEC.
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