Ex-Rangers star Filip Helander finally finds new club after SIXTEEN months without playing a game
FORMER Rangers star Filip Helander has found a new club.
The defender, who hasn't played a competitive match since April 2022 against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership, was released by the Ibrox club at the end of last season.
Helander initially signed for Rangers for £3million from Bologna in 2019 but injuries plagued his time in Glasgow.
The 30-year-old has now put pen-to-paper on a deal with Odense Boldklub of Denmark, who finished eighth in the Danish Superliga last season.
The 19-times capped Swedish international has been given a contract until next summer.
A statement from the club read: "We have reached an agreement with the 30-year-old Swedish centre-back, who will play in the striped jersey next year.
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"When the squad enters Nature Energy Park today to make the final preparations before tomorrow's Friday match against Vejle Boldklub, there will be a new streak to welcome.
"We have entered into a one-year agreement with the Swedish centre-back Filip Helander, who most recently represented Rangers FC in the Scottish city of Glasgow.
"We want to further strengthen the competition in the central defense position, and in Filip we get an internationally experienced player whose strength is playing defense in a four-back chain. We look forward to starting the collaboration with Filip already today, says football director, Björn Wesström.
"Filip Helander began his football career in Malmö FF, where he also played in his youth, and in 2016 he traveled to Italy, where he has represented both Hellas Verona FC and Bologna FC 1909. In 2019, he was sold to Rangers FC, where he played until the contract expires in June.
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"In his career, Filip has played 84 Serie A matches, 71 matches in the Allsvenskan and 35 in the Scottish Premiership. In addition, he has matches in both the Champions League and the Europa League on his CV and played 19 international matches for our Swedish neighbours."
Helander added: "It is a great opportunity for me. It's a good club with really good support, and there are good opportunities here, and hopefully I can help redeem that, says Filip Helander and continues:
"I bring some professionalism and as I get older and have a lot of experience, I can also help the younger players."
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