Sadiq Umar handed his lucky jersey number 97 at Glasgow Rangers after joining on year-long loan

NIGERIAN striker Sadiq Umar has been handed his lucky jersey number 97 at Scottish Premiership giants Glasgow Rangers after joining the club on a season-long loan from Italian side Roma.

Umar, 21, a six foot three targetman who excels at holding the ball up and bringing his team mates into play, has been one of the first signings of new Rangers manager Steven Gerrard. Roma sent him out on loan last season, with him starting off at Torino, also in Serie A but he then spent the second half of the campaign at Dutch club NAC Breda.

Upon joining Breda in January, Umar ended the season with five goals in 12 games in the Dutch Eredivisie to help the modest team beat the drop. At the Rio 2016 Olympics Umar, popularly known as Jololo, was Nigeria's top scorer and the Kaduna-born striker will be hoping to reach similar heights in Glasgow.

Apparently, the number 97, was the first shirt he wore as a professional player when he made his debut for Roma as an 18 year old three years ago and he believes it is a good omen for him. At Breda last season, Umar also wore the number 97 and he is just waiting for a work permit before unveiling the shirt at Rangers.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles defender at Bryan Idowu has signed a three year deal with Lokomotiv Moscow having joined them from Amkar Perm on a free transfer. Amkar Perm were relegated to the third division of the Russian league at the end of last season due to financial impropriety and Lokomotiv were quick to swoop in and sign him.

Idowu said: "I am very glad to join Lokomotiv and I’m really looking forward to joining the team at their training camp. As a child I watched the matches of Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League."

CSKA Moscow were also interested in the 25 year old who played leftback for Nigeria throughout the World Cup. Following his move, Idowu will now compete in the UEFA Champions League during the forthcoming season.