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GAEL BIGIRIMANA last night admitted he knew he was suffering from a serious medical condition BEFORE he was sent on loan to Rangers.

The 21-year-old signed for the Ibrox club on the last day of the winter transfer window as part of the now notorious Newcastle Five deal which was rushed through at the eleventh hour by former executive directors Derek Llambias and Barry Leach.

Record Sport understands the bulk deal is costing Rangers a total of £5,000-a-week in wages but so far Bigirimana and two of his Tyneside team mates - Kevin Mbabu and Shane Ferguson - have not been fit enough to play for the Glasgow club. A fourth player, defender Remie Street, managed less than 45 minutes of action before limping off the field before half time on his debut against Raith Rovers.

(Image: SNS)

Last week new manager Stuart McCall revealed that Bigirimana’s mystery illness would sideline him until after the end of his short term deal - and now the player himself has confirmed he was battling the condition before he even signed on the dotted line.

The new Rangers regime were already furious about the circumstances surrounding the transfer of the Newcastle Five, which was completed without any medical tests being carried out just days before Llambias and Leach were routed from the boardroom at an EGM.

And Dave King’s new board will be particularly outraged at learning Bigirimana’s current condition was diagnosed by doctors when he was still part of Newcastle’s set-up.

(Image: Willie Vass)

It was suggested on social media at the weekend the player was in fact suffering from Hepatitis C. However speaking exclusively to Record Sport last night, the Burundi born midfielder denied he had that condition but confirmed he knew he was sick before being moved out of St James’ Park.

However, he claimed he did not realise the illness would prevent him from pulling on his boots in Scotland and that the SFA’s rule book has blocked him from playing any part in Rangers bid for promotion back to the top flight.

Bigirimana said: “I didn’t know I wouldn’t be able to play. I didn’t think it would be a problem that would stop me playing. Nobody told me.

In pictures: Rangers loan signings from Newcastle

“Yes, I knew I had a problem but I didn’t think it would stop me playing here because that problem didn’t stop me playing in England. But obviously different FA’s have different rules.

“It’s obviously disappointing but my disappointment cannot change what has happened and what is happening. But I do hope Rangers get back where they belong.”

Bigirimana’s last appearance for Newcastle’s under 21s came on deadline day, February 2, hours before his move to Ibrox was pushed through. He came off the bench as a late sub in a 1-1 draw with West Brom.

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Of the five players who signed later that night only one, Slovenian international Haris Vuckic, has made any kind of impact. It’s understood each of the players costs Rangers £1,000-a-week which means, almost eight weeks into their loan moves, the tab is currently standing at around £40,000.

If the agreement, which was struck between Llambias and Mike Ashley’s Newcastle, does stay in place until the end of the season the final bill will be around £65,000.

And while Bigirimana accepts there is no chance of him making a Rangers debut before the end of the season he insists he does hope to return to the club at some stage in his career.

He said: “I came here because I wanted to help Rangers out and I’ve come to like the place so much and the club as well. But what’s happened has happened and if I can’t play for Rangers because of my medical condition then hopefully, when this gets sorted, one day I’ll come back. Hopefully I’ll get another chance to come here on loan or permanently.

(Image: Action Images)

“I don’t know when I will be able to play again. I can’t tell you that to be honest. But it won’t be this season. I am being treated well and everyone at the club has been really nice to me since I came here.”

Asked if he will stay in Glasgow until the end of the current promotion campaign or return to Newcastle early instead, Bigirimana said: “It’s difficult because when you sign on loan you can’t go back until the contract is finished.”

Last night a Rangers spokesman told The Record: “The Manager has previously confirmed Gael Bigirimana has a medical condition and due to confidentiality the Club cannot disclose any further details or discuss this matter further.