British Home Office grants Sadiq Umar work permit enabling him to play for Glasgow Rangers

NIGERIAN striker Sadiq Umar has been granted a work permit by the Home Office which now qualifies him to play for Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers both in Scotland's Premier League and in the Europa League.

Olympic team striker, Umar, 21, a six foot three targetman who excels at holding the ball up and bringing his team mates into play, joined Rangers earlier this month on a season-long loan from Italian side Roma. One of the first signings of new Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, Umar has already been handed his favourite number 97 at Ibrox and has promised fans he will score loads of goals.

Since signing, however, Sadiq is yet to feature for Rangers, who are campaigning in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League. Yesterday, his close associate Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman revealed that the striker has received his work permit from the Home Office and will now be in contention to play in their second leg tie of the Europa League Qualifiers against Croatian side Osijek on Thursday August 2.

Mr Mowiz said: "He has received his work permit and Sadiq can now play for Rangers in the Europa League return leg tie against Osijek. It’s a welcome relief to the forward and also for Rangers.”

At the moment, Rangers are holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg of their match against Osijek and their quest to scale through has received a boost with Sadiq now eligible to feature in the return leg in Glasgow. Rangers manager Steven Gerrard rates Sadiq very highly and believes he will make a big impact at the club.