NEW Rangers signing Bongani Zungu was last night tipped to provide a crucial link between midfield and attack at Ibrox and become a firm fans’ favourite this season by the Amiens sporting director.

Steven Gerrard completed his summer transfer business in the final hours of the window on Monday night by bringing in Zungu on loan until the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

The Glasgow club have the option to buy the dynamic 27-year-old, who has won 29 international caps for South Africa since making his debut for his country in 2013, permanently if he impresses in the coming months.

Amiens official John Williams, who has watched the 6ft tall player in action in Ligue 1 in France in the past three seasons, has little doubt that he will entertain supporters and flourish.

Gerrard isn’t exactly short of quality options in the middle of the park; Scott Arfield, Steven Davis, Ryan Jack and Glen Kamara have all performed to a high standard both domestically and in Europe this term.

But many followers of the Premiership club have been keen to see a more offensive individual complement that quartet and provide a cutting edge going forward and Zungu excels in the final third.

“He is a fantastic player,” said Williams. “He is a central midfielder. He is not defensive. He is the one who supplies the ball to the attacking players in the team.

“His skill level is very high. He is a hard worker and technically good. He can do everything. You cannot expect more from a player in his position. I think the fans of Rangers will like him.”

Amiens were relegated to Ligue 2 when the top flight in France was controversially curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic back in April and their midfielder became available.

Williams confirmed that Zungu had several options available to him and suggested the presence of former Liverpool and England captain Gerrard at Rangers and the global reputation of the Glasgow club proved decisive.

“There was a lot of interest in him this summer,” he said. “There were clubs in Spain and elsewhere in France who were interested in him. He preferred to go to Rangers. I am sure that the manager made the difference. He is also an English-speaking player.

“But, of course, Rangers is a fantastic club. Wherever you go in the world you will find a fan of Rangers. I think that will have been a factor in the choice he has made in his career.”

Gerrard has, despite the difficulties caused to all clubs by the Covid-19 outbreak, spent over £9m bringing in Leon Balogun, Calvin Bassey, Ianis Hagi, Cedric Itten, Jon McLaughlin, Kemar Roofe and Zungu.

Furthermore, he has managed to hold on to first team regulars Borna Barisic, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos, who had all been linked with clubs in England and Europe in the close season.

Gerrard is confident that Rangers can challenge Celtic for the League Cup, Scottish Cup and Premiership title and progress to the knockout rounds of the Europa League for the second year running this term as a result.

“Our board have been very supportive throughout the window with seven new signings,” he told the official Rangers website. “We believe we have a squad in place that will compete in all competitions, both domestically and in Europe.

“This is a pleasing transfer for us and we look forward to Bongani joining up with the squad. Bongani fits the profile of player that adds further strength and depth to our midfield.

“We wanted a dominant midfielder with the right profile who can enhance the team and complement other players we have. We have monitored this situation all summer and now feel it’s the right time.”