The striker left Wolves in January to join Rangers.

Fabio Silva acknowledged Benfica’s part in his £35 million move to Wolves before meeting them with Rangers.

In January, the striker joined Philippe Clement’s team on loan for the remainder of the season. He signed for Molineux for a record sum in 2019 after demonstrating promise at Porto, but he spent some of his formative career with arch rivals Benfica.

Silva returns to Portugal to face the Eagles in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16. Silva expressed gratitude to his former team for their involvement in his success, which led to a move to the Wolves. He is excited to play in Europe with Rangers.

He stated, “Everyone knows who I have supported since I was a child. I do not need to state it. Everyone supports one team, and that was true for me. However, my two years at Benfica when I was younger were quite beneficial.

“Everybody showed me a lot of affection. I don’t have anything awful to say. However, you eventually decide to choose a different path in life. Naturally, returning to my homeland is always a memorable occasion. It’s a big game, two big teams, and a big European game, and I’m excited to play my first Europa League game for Rangers. I am quite enthusiastic for this game.

“I am familiar with Benfica, as well as some of their national team players. It’s good to see some familiar faces. The most important thing for me right now is Rangers.

“I am looking forward to my first European game with the club and am thinking about it. But, of course, returning to my own country to meet friends and family is wonderful. And, of course, it is even more meaningful because I played here as a child. I stayed here for two years and everyone gave me everything, therefore I have nothing negative to say about anyone here. Playing here will be something wonderful for me. As I previously stated, I had a positive two-year experience here.

“Everyone here loves me and has taught me many excellent things. I have no trouble telling the truth about that. But, like everyone else, in life, you sometimes have to take a different path, and at the moment, I selected another club. But I’m pretty delighted with it.”