As Rangers fans watched Jose Cifuentes struggle through a brief nine-game stint in the Scottish Premiership, many may have questioned what the Ecuadorian midfielder actually brought to the team.
While not a total failure—certainly not on the same level as fellow 2023 signing Sam Lammers—Cifuentes’ time at Rangers was far from a success.
Mick Beale, known for his bold claims, had touted Cifuentes as a player capable of elevating Rangers to a new level when the £1.2 million move from Los Angeles FC was completed.
However, just months later, Cifuentes was loaned to Cruzeiro, and his time at Rangers now seems destined to be remembered not as one of the worst signings, but certainly one of the most forgettable.
Nevertheless, Greek club Aris Thessaloniki clearly saw something in Cifuentes, reportedly willing to pay a potential club-record £4.2 million for him.
If the 26-year-old midfielder makes a permanent move to Aris after his loan, Rangers stand to make a significant profit. Yet, for much of his time in the Greek Super League, Cifuentes’ underwhelming performances made that £4.2 million fee appear as daunting as it did when initially agreed upon in August.
Cifuentes is also reportedly Aris’ highest-paid player—past or present—though his wages were, until recently, hard to justify.
Reports earlier in the year suggested that Aris had paused talks with Rangers over a permanent deal, after a string of six consecutive defeats with Cifuentes in the starting lineup. Speculation arose that Aris coach Marinos Ouzounidis was losing patience with the midfielder.
After his disappointing stint at Rangers and only limited playtime at Cruzeiro, it seemed that Cifuentes’ move to Aris was just another chapter in a disappointing run. But as Aris began their Europa Conference League play-offs with two straight 2-0 victories, it appears that the real Jose Cifuentes might finally be showing up.
Nearly two years after crossing the Atlantic, and now at his third club since the summer of 2023, he could finally be demonstrating the potential that Beale saw when he claimed Cifuentes had the ability to take a team to new heights.
According to the All About Aris website, “Aris has seen several constants in recent matches, with Cifuentes being one of them—consistent in his upward trajectory, showing leadership and often being the standout player on the field.”
Cifuentes also rediscovered his MLS form in a more advanced role in Greece, recording his third assist in 27 games during the win over Asteras at the end of March. Given more freedom by Ouzounidis, Cifuentes created eight chances across two play-off games.
Having joined Rangers with a reputation for contributing in the final third—boasting seven goals and eight assists in the 2022 MLS season—it’s curious why it took so long for Ouzounidis to grant him the attacking freedom he needed.
“Cifuentes responded well to Ouzounidis’ instructions to create,” All About Aris noted, pointing out his solid all-around midfield display, including five successful tackles in the Crete match.
If Cifuentes continues his strong performances, the focus will shift to whether Aris can afford the £4.2 million fee. According to Press Aris, “Cifuentes has earned a permanent stay at Aris, which he seems to desire.”
Should Aris be able to afford the move, Rangers are likely to receive a substantial summer windfall, while Cifuentes will get the fresh start hopes for away from Ibrox.
