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Bongani Zungu eventually went to work as a Rangers player, but the South African admits he felt part of the Ibrox family for much longer.
An intermittent play by French Amiens was completed on the deadline day.
And while the midfielder has had to cool his heels in quarantine, he is active enough on social media to appreciate both the size of the club he has joined and the warmth of the welcome he has received from the club’s support.
Armed with a stack of video footage sent to him by the club to prepare him for the way Steven Gerrard’s team plays, Zungu’s first day wasn’t as revealing as it could have been.
In fact, the midfielder was delighted to be out in the open, kicking a ball.
He said: “It was hard because I couldn’t go out, but the club made things easier for me.
“I could train indoors with the bike, do some weights and the analyst was sending me a video of the tactics and how the team plays, the form and everything.
“Seeing how the team plays and the quality of the team is very exciting for me.
“He had an idea about the club and he knew about the Rangers. And when I found out that the team was interested, I investigated and realized that it is a huge club, so I know quite a few things.
“The training session went well. It felt great to leave the house and touch the ball with my teammates.
“I felt good, physically I feel very good and confident and if the coach gives me the opportunity to play I feel prepared.
“I’ve never played with any of the guys, but I’ve seen a lot of Rangers games.
“I am aware of the strength of each and every one of my teammates. The boys have a lot of quality.
“Reaching such a quality is good for me. I am very happy to play with them.
Rather than having the mindset to compete, I am happy and honored to be here. Rangers are a huge club and for me to be here I should improve my qualities and I should improve myself as a player.
“That will help me get more calls for the national team and hopefully help the team reach greater heights.”
The South African, who participated in 29 international matches, had to be a patient in quarantine.
But even before that, he was forced to wait while his French club played hard before agreeing to a loan deal until the end of the season that gives the Rangers the option to make the move permanent in the summer.
And Zungu said, “When I heard about the Rangers’ interest, I always wanted to come here. But of course, as a gamer there is a lot you can say.
“I had a contract with Amiens, so it was up to them what they wanted to do with the situation.
“I had to go back there, do the preseason, have patience and work hard. But in my mind I always said that I wanted to be here.
“I have worked very hard while I was still in France and we were in talks with the coach and the club.
“I got two games for Amiens and then when I got here I had to quarantine myself.
“I had to be patient and the club was also patient with me. They were waiting. I feel great that the deal finally happened on the last day of the window. “
The opportunity to learn from one of the best midfielders of his generation was another great draw for Zungu, who said: “My qualities are that I’m good with the ball and I can be very aggressive when we don’t have the ball.
“When I spoke to the manager, he made it clear to me what he wants me to do when he gives me a chance.
“I grew up seeing the teacher and I am very excited to work with him.
“I know it will help my game and help me grow and improve my skills and hopefully help the team to be successful.
“He was a great player, a great midfielder. I can learn a lot from him. I hope to learn and improve my game. “
Zungu is on Gerrard’s Europa League team, but it is highly unlikely that he will face Lech Poznan.
However, the player admits that he is looking forward to getting started, although the big disappointment for him is not being able to play in front of the fans who have given him such a warm welcome to Scotland.
He added: “I felt at home before signing. I had a warm welcome.
“People were flooding my social media and it made me realize that this is a huge club and in the back of my mind I was telling myself that they were making me want to go here, so the warm welcome was good.
“I had a chat with some players here and one thing that stands out for them. They say it’s a shame you came when there are restrictions.
“Everybody talks about the atmosphere and what the stadium is like when there are fans, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it myself.”
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