Oh, how delightful: another story of hope and heartache, delivered through the medium of a footballer's journey. Today's tale is centred around Danilo Pereira da Silva – a gift from the gods of football or another overhyped mediocrity, depending on who you ask. Born in the homeland of football, Brazil, on the 7th of April, 1999, Danilo is a sprightly 25-year-old forward, loves a good punt at the goal from his primary position as a striker. Not the tallest lad out there at 5ft 8in (1.74 metres), but he packs a punch, weighing in at 11st 9lb (74kg). Currently lending his talents to the illustrious 'Rangers', he is rocking the passionate number 99 on his jersey.
In 2017, Ajax plucked our man 'Danilo' from Brazil's Série A club Santos for a bargained £1.8m. At Ajax in the 2019 - 2020 season, he graced the pitch once in a league match, while in the 2021 - 2022 season, perhaps perked up by a jolt of Dutch courage, he endeared himself to fans with a grand total of two goals in 13 appearances. Astonishing, really.
In a turn of events as unexpected as a Scottish summer, Danilo was then pawned off to FC Twente on loan in 2020. It seemed Twente's questionable air agreed with him, as he managed 17 goals in 33 appearances during his 2020 - 2021 season there. Must've been a bittersweet joyride back to Ajax following the completion of his loan in June 2021.
Back at Ajax, Danilo repeated his earlier efforts with a one-goal-every-six-and-a-half-games statistic, collecting two goals in 13 appearances in the 2021 - 2022 season. The lads at Feyenoord, apparently impressed by his undeniable consistency, decided to bag him up in July 2022.
After swinging his boots in the Eredivisie, Danilo was flogged off yet again in July 2023, this time to our own turf, Scotland, to play for Rangers — no questioning their majestic evaluating prowess, forking out a cool £6m for the pleasure. Requires a fair bit of optimism to see the deal through rose-tinted glasses, considering his recent statistics.
For Rangers, Danilo scored four goals in 12 appearances in the 2023 - 2024 season. In the ongoing season, he has already netted five goals in 16 appearances. Lest we forget, he also graced the League Cup and Europa League with his striking presence, managing one goal each in both competitions, proving his prowess... or something along those lines.
To sum up, Danilo Pereira da Silva: a lad that loves a good run on the pitch, sometimes even scores. We wait, with bated breath, to see if he'll smash expectations out the park or continue to blow us away with his mind-boggling consistency in mediocrity.
