According to the reports in Czech media as cited by Football Scotland, Rangers have completed the signing of 16-year-old Czech talent Krystof Hampl. The youngster has reportedly signed a two-year professional contract. Hampl featured for Rangers U17s at the recent Spartak Cup in Russia where the Scottish side finished third. The midfielder is moving to Ibrox from FK Pardubice, a second division Czech outfit currently on the top of the table.
Player agent and Czech media confirms move
The midfielder has had trials with Manchester United and Portuguese outfits Sporting Braga and Benfica before. Rangers are yet to give official confirmation of the signing, but Czech media is reporting that the deal is done. The player’s agent also confirmed the same as he said, “He was more interested in working with a Scottish club. He attended a Moscow tournament in August and then got an offer for a move.”
One for the future for Gerrard
Hampl is obviously being looked as a prospect for the youth teams, and he is unlikely to play a part in Rangers’ main squad this season. The Gers will be hoping that the midfielder would turn out to be a top prospect in a few years.
The fact that Rangers have only offered him a two-year deal suggests that they are waiting to see how he progresses in Scotland before offering him a more extended contract.
Midfield is one position though where Rangers are well covered. The club have signed impressive players like Glen Kamara, Joe Aribo and Steven Davis in the last two transfer windows and they have managed to become the mainstay of Rangers’ midfield alongside Ryan Jack.
As a result, players like Greg Docherty and Ross McCrorie have struggled for game-time even though they have managed to catch the eye. Rangers allowed McCrorie to join League One outfit Portsmouth on loan so that he would be able to get regular game time which will aid his development.
It remains to be seen what kind of impact Hampl will make for the Gers’ youth team. The move though can be termed as a brave one as often young players like to stick to their home leagues for a few more years before moving outside. Hampl at 16 is willing to take this big plunge, and it would be interesting to see how he would adjust to his new surroundings in Scotland. Being a midfielder, the youngster could learn a lot from a legend like Steven Gerrard.
