Allow me to introduce you to the globe-trotting goal-getter, Cyriel Dessers. Our Belgian friend, born 8 December 1994 (currently at the ripe age of 30), stands at a towering 6ft (or 1.85m for those of you partial to the metric system). Weighing in at a solid 12st 8lb (that'd be 80kg on the other end of the scale), he primarily earns his bread as a striker. Whenever you spectate a Rangers match, you can spot Dessers strutting about in the number 9 jersey.
Dessers embarked on his professional career with Oud-Heverlee Leuven back in that nostalgic year of 2014, when he managed the impressive feat of a singular first-team league appearance. Confounding his critics, Dessers decided that the Pro League in Belgium was already beneath him and ascended to KSC Lokeren in the Challenger Pro League (also in Belgium, would you believe it) later that same year.
Following seasons of iterative improvement characterised by 15 appearances in 2014/15 and a rigorous ten in 2015/2016, Dessers chose to explore the delights of the Netherlands at NAC Breda. It was here, like a flower amidst springtime, Dessers developed his knack for finding the net, gracing the Eredivisie with 22 goals in 36 appearances in the 2016/17 season. Impressive, I must grudgingly admit.
His knack for Dutch hopping was a trend that continued, as he moved to FC Utrecht in 2017, a move that cost his new club a staggering £300k, and then to Heracles Almelo in 2019. The 2019/20 season bore witness to remarkable flourishes of offensive prowess, with Dessers contributing 15 goals in 26 appearances.
Then, like a homing pigeon yearning for familiar skies, Dessers returned to Belgium and signed with Genk in 2020, for a princely sum of £3.6m. Following an initial season of numerous appearances and a sprinkling of goals, Dessers was farmed off to Feyenoord on loan in 2021, whereupon the striker added another nine goals to his tally.
Having completed his loan spell, Dessers returned to Genk only to tread on familiar territory again as he was promptly sold to Italian outfit Cremonese for an eyebrow-raising £5.9m in 2022. Following a year in the Serie B, he set his sights on conquering the Scottish Premiership and transferred to Rangers in July 2023 for a little shy of £4.5m.
Since sporting the Rangers colours, Dessers has been reliably consistent, managing 51 appearances, potting 27 goals across two seasons. Furthermore, his presence has been felt in both domestic cup competitions and in Europe, indicating a player thriving on all stages. As much as it pains me to say it, the lad's good.
