Sources: Rangers deal for Francis Jacob collapses after full agreement in place
Rangers' move for American record-breaker Francis Jacobs has collapsed after a full agreement was reached, sources have told Football Insider.
As part of their strategic partnership with US second-tier club Orange County SC, the Glasgow giants had agreed a deal in principle to sign the wonderkid on a professional deal when he turned 18, which is on 14 March.
Jacobs has been part of the set-up at Ibrox playing in Academy matches and he was due to put pen to paper on pro terms this week.
But the move appears to be off as the player is returning to America without signing a deal.
That is a major blow for all parties, given how long the team has been in the works.
Rangers were first reported to have agreed terms for Jacobs two years ago when he was still only 15, but the Brexit regulations were said to have delayed his arrival.
That was originally set for the summer of 2021, before then being delayed further until the summer of 2023.
Jacobs became the youngest player in US history when he turned pro in August 2019 at the age of 14 years, four months and 29 days.
The record was previously held by former American prodigy Freddy Adu, who was a few weeks older when he penned his contract with DC United in November 2003.
California-born Jacobs is a US youth international who has also had a spell on loan at California United.
Jacobs was one of three Orange County youngsters to train with Rangers in December 2019, and has subsequently played for the Glasgow club's youth teams.
The two clubs struck up a formal partnership a number of years ago that includes commercial activities and sharing players.