OC Soccer Club completes transfer of goalkeper Aaron Cervantes to Glasgow Rangers

Aaron Cervantes of OC Soccer Club is transferring to the Glasgow Rangers. (Photo courtesy OC Soccer Club)

OC Soccer Club.Orange County Soccer Club officials announced Wednesday that the team has completed the transfer of U.S. Youth International Aaron Cervantes to European powerhouse Glasgow Rangers of the Scottish Premier League.

Cervantes, a Southern California native who signed his first professional contract with OCSC in 2018 at the age of 15, becomes the first player to be permanently transferred between the two clubs, officials said. He is from Chino Hills.

“Today is a landmark moment for everyone at Orange County SC with the official transfer of Aaron to Rangers F.C.,” said OCSC President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Oliver Wyss.

“Aaron was the first local, young Orange County player that we signed to a professional contract, and he laid the foundation for our pathway and future young talents at OCSC with his professionalism and work ethic. Aaron is a special young man and seeing him transfer to Rangers F.C., our world-class partner club is gratifying beyond words.”

Cervantes, 18, made his professional debut for OCSC on March 23, 2019, vs. New Mexico United. Since then, he has made 18 appearances for the club and recorded four clean sheets. In 2020, Cervantes had five starts in six appearances with 15 saves and one clean sheet.

“I want to thank Orange County SC for taking care of me since day one, without their top professional environment, none of this would have happened,” said Cervantes. “I am just humbled to have this opportunity at Rangers F.C., which is a massive club, and I am ready to go to work and show what I can do.”

Cervantes, a goalkeeper for the U.S. U17 Men’s National Team, represented the U.S. in the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup in Brazil.

“I personally couldn’t be happier for Aaron. He has developed from a young ambitious goalkeeper into a mentally strong young man over my years of working with him,” said OCSC Head Coach, Braeden Cloutier. “I wish Aaron the very best in this new chapter of his career and development.”

When he signed in 2018, Cervantes was the youngest player ever to sign with the club. Cervantes is the first homegrown player from Orange County to transfer to a European club.