Rangers manager Steven Gerrard says “the best is yet to come” from Alfredo Morelos after the Colombian signed a new contract with the Ibrox side.
The 22-year-old has extended his current deal until 2022.
“Alfredo is a vital part of what we are trying to create here and although he has attracted close attention from other clubs it is important we hold on to him,” Gerrard told the club website.
Morelos said: “I want to be with Rangers for as long as possible.”
He has scored six goals in 12 appearances this season, earning him a call-up to the Colombia squad for the first time.
Rangers had rebuffed a £3.75m offer from Bordeaux for Morelos, who cost £1m a year ago from HJK Helsinki, while they also received an £8m offer from Chinese club Beijing Renhe in January.
🐃 #RangersFC are today delighted to announce that Alfredo Morelos (@morelos2106) has signed a new contract with the club.
➡️ Full story with reaction from #ElBufalo and Steven Gerrard: https://t.co/4dA75oLUXb pic.twitter.com/kfuB1bMYqw
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) September 1, 2018
And it comes after a summer that saw the Ibrox club knock back bids from the likes of Fenerbahce for his services. Rangers announced the deal on their website earlier tonight and Morelos admits he is delighted to sign his new contract. He said: “I am delighted to have extended my contract. This is such a massive club and I want to be with Rangers for as long as possible. “I appreciate very much the support I have been given and I believe I have a special bond with the fans. To play in front of them always excites me.
“With the new manager here it feels as if we are building something special and I want to play my part in that and also repay the faith he and all the fans have in me.”
Steven Gerrard revealed he was delighted to reward Morelos with a new deal and admitted it was important to keep him at Ibrox amid interest from other clubs.
He said: “I said we were talking about giving Alfredo a new deal and I am delighted to confirm we have now done exactly that.
