Danilo, a striker for Rangers, has sent a heartfelt thank you note to the team’s medical team, who have expedited his recovery from a horrific facial injury.

On September 16, the £5 million summer transfer from Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord collided unintentionally with St Johnstone defender Liam Gordon, breaking his cheekbone. The 24-year-old had to have surgery as a result of the accident, and during the previous five weeks, he had kept fans informed about his progress towards recuperation.

And after initially being told it would take at least six weeks for such an injury to recover fully, he unexpectedly returned to the pitch a week earlier than planned.

At Ibrox on Saturday, Danilo came off the bench for the last ten minutes of Hibernian’s 4-0 Scottish Premiership triumph. Before new manager Philippe Clement made the decision to bench a number of first-team players for a bounce match against Icelandic side Briedablik on Sunday in an effort to increase the squad’s general fitness, he donned a protective face mask for the first time.

The starting lineup for their match against the UEFA Europa Conference League included the Brazilian as the captain, as well as young players Leon King, Adam Devine, Bailey Rice, and Ross McCausland, who have spent more time playing for David McCallum’s B-team.

Danilo shared on social media how happy he was to be back on the pitch despite losing 3-2 at the Rangers Training Centre. “A special thanks to the medical team who treated my injury,” he tweeted. Eventually back on the pitch after five weeks as opposed to six… I am truly grateful.

Danilo will now want to live up to his hefty transfer value by igniting his Ibrox career under Clement’s tutelage, beginning on Thursday in the Europa League against Sparta Prague.