Arsenal youngster Gedion Zelalem set to remain at Rangers after clubs agree loan extension

Rangers have confirmed an agreement with Arsenal to extend the loan of promising young midfielder Gedion Zelalem.

The 18-year-old first moved to Ibrox on a five-month deal in August 2015 and has since made 15 appearances north of the border, helping Mark Warburton's promotion favourites to top the Scottish Championship ahead of title rivals Falkirk and Hibernian.

Berlin-born Zelalem, who previously played youth football for Germany before being cleared to represent the United States last May, will now remain in Glasgow for the rest of the season as Rangers seek to return to the top flight for the time since a chronic debt crisis saw them demoted to the fourth tier back in 2012.

"Rangers Football Club is today delighted to announce Gedion Zelalem has extended his loan deal with the Ibrox club until the end of the season," a release from the club confirmed on 6 January. "The 18 year-old midfielder, who is being loaned from Premier League leaders Arsenal, has so far made 15 appearances in light blue and has won wide praise for his performances.

"Injury ruled him out of the recent defeat to Falkirk and he then missed the Hibernian game last Monday before returning to the side as a substitute in Saturday's 6-0 mauling of Dumbarton. The young American has also seen action with the USA Olympic squad this season as they look forward to the Rio Games this summer."

Zelalem is one of 12 Arsenal first-team players currently out on loan, a list that includes the likes of Wojciech Szczesny (Roma), Carl Jenkinson (West Ham), Yaya Sanogo (Ajax) and Chuba Akpom (Hull). Midfielder Serge Gnabry has been at West Brom since early August, but recent reports from The Telegraph suggest that his parent club have opted to exercise a recall option, with the German having made just one substitute appearance in the Premier League under Tony Pulis to date.

In other Arsenal news, young full-back Tafari Moore has today put pen-to-paper on a new contract in north London. The Gunners have also handed a first professional deal to defender Tolaji Bola, who was a member of the England side who triumphed at the Under-17 European Championships in Malta two years ago.