HIGH hopes and plenty of expectation surrounded his signing.
Rangers chased his signature for months too, with a view to him becoming a key player in future.
Juan Alegria was tipped to follow in the footsteps of Alfredo Morelos at Rangers
Kenny RamsayAlegria spent time on loan at Partick Thistle and Falkirk whilst at Rangers[/caption]
Alegria and Morelos were spotted out having dinner together on occasion
He was even considered as the ‘next Alfredo Morelos’ after completing his transfer to the Glasgow giants in 2021.
Indeed, fans were calling for him to be promoted to Steven Gerrard’s first team just a few short months after his arrival following a stunning hat-trick against Alloa for the development team.
But it didn’t work out and he played even played a competitive game for the club.
He played for the Gers B team and had spells out on loan – including scoring six goals whilst at Falkirk last season – but didn’t do enough to impress the coaches at Ibrox.
Then in April this year he was let go despite having a year remaining on his contract, signing for his former club in the process.
The man in question is striker Juan Alegria.
Like Morelos, he hails from Colombia and signed for the Light Blues from a team in Finland.
The 21-year-old returned to FC Honka after leaving Rangers – but has now been released by the Finnish outfit as well and left unemployed.
He played 15 times in the league for the Espoo-based side upon his return, scoring one goal.
After Honka announced the signing of fellow South American striker Michael Lopez, of Argentina, they confirmed that Alegria’s contract had been ripped up.
A statement said: “Thank you Juan Alegria!
“Juan Alegria’s contract has been terminated by mutual consent. Honka thanks Juan for his time in the club and wishes him luck in the future!”
The forward has posted videos of himself working out alone on Instagram as he bids to stay fit whilst looking for a new team.
In the clip, he is seen training on his own on a football pitch doing leg raises, crunches and planks as well as sprints and ball work, including some shooting practice using a bench as a rebound board to set himself up.
Perhaps wary of his impending release, Alegria posted an inspirational quote alongside a video of one of his goals for FC Honka three weeks ago.
He said: “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.”
Upon leaving Gers last season, Alegria took aim at the Ibrox club and accused them of being “disrespectful” towards him.
In doing so he had a pop at former managers Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale, saying they “didn’t have a plan” for him and that they were never up front about his situation at the club.
As well as Falkirk, Alegria also spent time on loan at Partick Thistle whilst on the books at Gers.
Alegria has been working out as he tries to finds a new club
Putting in the hard yards
He also filmed himself doing some finishing drills
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