Yesterday the club confirmed that Fashion Sakala had been sold to Saudi club Al-Fayha. The fee was listed as ‘undisclosed’ but reliable source Chris Jack confirmed the fee to be £4m.
Considering the Zambian international was brought in for free, this is good business. These are the type of deals Rangers need to make on a regular basis to become self-sustainable.
Financially it makes sense, is this a deal Rangers could live to regret though? These are the numbers the 26-year-old posted in the SPFL last season;
- 29 Appearances (22 Starts)
- 12G/7A
- 151mins Per Goal
- 74mins Per Goal Contribution
- 13% Goal Conversion Rate
- 51% Dribble Success (1.9 Per Game)
Will any of the players coming in offer numbers as good as these? Obviously, it’s early days and impossible to tell but Rangers need more than one player to provide these numbers this season.
Fashion Sakala on Rangers
The enigmatic forward has this to say when he announced his departure via an open letter on his social media accounts;
To my beloved Rangers Football Club, teammates, management, and cherished Rangers fans. Today marks the end of an unforgettable chapter in my life.
It is with a heavy heart, yet a spirit of gratitude, that I bid farewell to this esteemed club, the supportive management, and my fellow teammates, but most importantly, to the passionate and loyal Rangers fans.
When I first joined Rangers, I could have never imagined the profound impact this club and its community would have on my life.
From the very first day, you embraced me as one of your own, making me feel like I belonged here, and that sense of belonging has been the driving force behind my performances on the pitch.
To my teammates, it has been an absolute privilege to share the field with each one of you. I am grateful for the memories we created together and the invaluable lessons I have learned from each one of you.
To the Coaches, the entire management, and staff, thank you for your unwavering support and guidance. I am truly grateful for the opportunities you provided me during my time here.
Last but not least, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Rangers fans. Your passion and unwavering loyalty are the heartbeat of this club. I am truly humbled by the affection you have shown me during my time here.
Rangers fans are simply the best, and I will carry these memories of our time together, and the special song you created and sang for me, in my heart forever.
As my journey with Rangers is coming to an end, I want to wish Rangers Football Club all the success and glory it deserves. I will always be a Ranger at heart, and I look forward to seeing the club conquer new heights in the future.
It has been an honour and a privilege to wear the famous blue jersey and represent this iconic club. Yours faithfully, Fashion Sakala Junior.
Fashion Sakala via his social media channels
A very heartfelt message from someone who clearly loved their time at the club. Despite criticism of his inconsistency, he’ll leave will all the fans best well wishes.
Michael Beale on Fashion Sakala
The manager had this to say on the confirmation of Sakala’s departure;
Fashion Sakala was a hugely popular person in our squad and played an important role in the team from the moment I arrived as manager.
On the pitch, he scored and assisted a number of goals, whilst off the pitch his infectious personality and natural enthusiasm made him an outstanding teammate.
He departs the club for a very good opportunity in Saudi Arabia and everyone at Rangers wishes Fashion and his family every success in the future.
He leaves Rangers with a lot of friends and a big good luck from all the staff and players. He will always be welcome back at Ibrox in the future.
Michael Beale to RTV
In the press conference he claimed the Zambian was someone he was ‘relying on’ this season. Does that mean he will be replaced? Do you think Rangers need to replace him?
Conclusion
Firstly, this deal is excellent from a business standpoint. £4m profit on a player who probably won’t improve much is a good deal. You have to imagine that Michael Beale believes the incoming forwards can at least match his numbers from last season.
Secondly, many fans wanted him after his two Hampden misses. There’s now more fans than ever claiming the club may regret this. Where was this support for him at the end of last season? Have the new signings flattered to deceive so much already that Sakala was a better option?
How do you feel about this deal? Do you think it represents good value? Are you hopeful that the club now go and replace Sakala? Or would you rather the money was spent elsewhere?
We could miss his goals.
However, 4 million was too good to turn down.