Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande has been called up to the Ghana national team as the Ibrox club send prospective new signings an international message.
The Gers have been a solid platform for a number of West African debutants in recent seasons with Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey both making their Nigeria breakthrough with the Bears.
And now January signing and £4.5m summer investment Mohamed Diomande is set to follow them by taking his first steps in the international game.
Mohamed Diomande called up by Ghana
Whilst given the 23-year-old’s bright start since moving to Ibrox from FC Nordsjælland, no one will be surprised to see Dio called up for international duty.
They may however be surprised to see the midfielder called up for Ghana given Mohamed Diomande is from the Ivory Coast, for whom he was called up to the U23s for the upcoming break.
Ghana boss Otto Addo appears to have convinced Mohamed Diomande – who spent his formative footballing years in Ghana at the Right to Dream Academy – to switch his allegiances.
It’s something that the AFCON winners may live to regret, especially given the midfielder taunted Gers teammate Leon Balogun after the Ivorian hosts overcame Nigeria to lift this year’s trophy.
More to follow midfielder’s Rangers example?
When Rangers signed Mohamed Diomande in January, it’s fair to say the club turned a few heads in European football with the switch.
The midfielder had evolved into an all-action leader for Danish side Nordsjælland and there was interest in Diomande from some of Europe’s top leagues.
But in a signing which Rangers will hope really sets the tone of the Nils Koppen-led Ibrox transfer era, this is a switch which the Gers hope will pay major dividends in the seasons to come.
Oozing class, temperament, athleticism and a keen eye for a long-range shot, Mohamed Diomande is a big talent and for would-be talents looking to make the jump to the right club, the signs at Rangers are increasingly positive.
European football, huge crowds, the chance of silverware, the legacy of playing at Ibrox, and international recognition are all major points in the plus column.
