Introduction
Youssef Chermiti is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for Rangers. He is known for his height, physical strength, intelligent movement and ability to score different types of goals.
His journey began on the small Portuguese island of Santa Maria. He later developed at Sporting CP, experienced Premier League football with Everton and rebuilt his reputation through an impressive season in Scotland.
He is one of the most promising young Portuguese strikers playing in British football.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Youssef Ramalho Chermiti |
| Known As | Youssef Chermiti |
| Date of Birth | 24 May 2004 |
| Age | 22 years old |
| Birthplace | Vila do Porto, Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal |
| Nationality | Portuguese |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Position | Centre-Forward |
| Height | 1.92 metres |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Current Club | Rangers |
| Jersey Number | 9 |
| Former Clubs | Sporting CP and Everton |
| National Team Level | Portugal Under-21 |
| Contract Expiry | June 2029 |
| Famous For | Sporting CP breakthrough, Everton move and Rangers goals |
Why Is Youssef Chermiti Famous?
He became widely known after breaking into Sporting CP’s senior team as a teenager. His physical qualities and potential quickly attracted attention from clubs outside Portugal.
Everton signed him in 2023, giving him the opportunity to play in the English Premier League. Although injuries affected his progress, the move showed how highly he was rated as a young striker.
His biggest senior breakthrough came with Rangers. Important goals against Celtic, a hat-trick against Hearts and an outstanding first Scottish Premiership season helped him become a major attacking player.
His rise reflects the patience and determination often required during a young player’s European football journey.
Early Life and Childhood in the Azores
Youssef Ramalho Chermiti was born on 24 May 2004. The Portuguese Football Federation lists Vila do Porto on Santa Maria Island as his birthplace.
An Everton interview offered slightly different information. It stated that he was born in Porto before moving to Santa Maria as a toddler because of his father’s work in the airport sector.
What is clear is that he spent most of his childhood in Vila do Porto. Santa Maria is one of the smaller islands in the Azores, far from Portugal’s largest professional football centres.
He played football in the streets, with friends and on a local synthetic pitch. The peaceful island environment gave him freedom to enjoy sport without the pressure of a professional academy.
He also played basketball and tried several other sports. His two older sisters enjoyed basketball and encouraged his early interest in the game.
Family Background
His father’s airport-related employment was connected to the family’s move to Santa Maria. His mother comes from Guinea-Bissau, giving him a strong connection to both Portuguese and West African culture.
Reliable sources confirm that he has two older sisters. Their names and the full names of his parents have not been included because they have not been consistently confirmed by official sources.
Family support played an important role in his career. When Sporting CP offered him the chance to join its academy, the family discussed the decision together.
They reportedly held a family vote before allowing him to leave the island. Moving away was a major step because he was still young and deeply attached to his mother, sisters and childhood friends.
First Football Clubs and Early Training
He began playing organised football with Os Marienses, a local club based on Santa Maria.
His talent became more visible during a tournament on São Miguel associated with former Portugal striker Pauleta. The experience placed him against stronger players and helped create his first connection with a major football development programme.
He later spent time with Pauleta’s academy and GD São Pedro before joining Sporting CP in 2016.
Leaving Santa Maria for Lisbon was emotionally difficult. He admitted that he often cried during his first months because he missed his family and island home.
Friendships inside the academy helped him settle. Fellow Sporting youngster Mateus Fernandes became an important friend during this period.
His development is another example of how young football talent often needs emotional support as well as technical coaching.
Education and Sporting CP Academy Life
There is no verified public record of a university degree or higher academic qualification.
However, he explained that Sporting’s residential academy combined normal education with professional football training. Young players attended classes while following a carefully managed sporting schedule.
The system helped him improve his fitness, tactical awareness, finishing and understanding of the centre-forward position.
He began training with Sporting’s first team at around 16. Working alongside senior professionals increased the speed of his development and prepared him for the demands of top-level football.
Rúben Amorim and Sporting’s coaching staff played important roles in his transition from academy prospect to first-team striker.
Sporting CP Career and Senior Debut
His professional development continued through Sporting CP’s reserve team. He gained experience in senior football before receiving an opportunity in the first team.
He made his Primeira Liga debut against Benfica in January 2023. Playing in one of Portugal’s biggest matches at only 18 was an important moment in his career.
His first league goal arrived against Rio Ave. He became one of Sporting’s youngest players to score while making a first away start.
The club rewarded his progress with a new contract running until 2027. Sporting also placed a reported €80 million release clause in the agreement.
He finished his senior Sporting league period with 16 appearances and three goals. Those numbers were enough to attract interest from the Premier League.
Everton Career and Premier League Experience
Everton signed him from Sporting CP in August 2023. The transfer was widely reported to be worth around £15 million, although the full payment structure was not officially released.
The move placed him in one of the world’s most competitive leagues. He was viewed as a long-term attacking project rather than a fully developed first-choice striker.
He made 22 Premier League appearances but did not score a league goal. Most of those appearances came from the substitutes’ bench, which limited his time to build rhythm.
His Premier League experience still helped him understand the speed, strength and tactical demands of English football.
Beto became a close friend and supportive teammate at Everton. He also described former club captain Seamus Coleman as an uncle-like figure who regularly offered advice.
Serious Injury and Difficult Recovery
A major setback arrived shortly before the beginning of the 2024–25 season.
A training-ground collision damaged a tendon in his foot and required surgery. The injury happened after a promising pre-season in which he had shown signs of improvement.
As he moved closer to fitness, a thigh injury delayed his return again. Spending months away from competitive football tested his patience and confidence.
He worked closely with Everton’s medical, physiotherapy and physical-performance staff. During rehabilitation, he added approximately three kilograms of muscle.
The added strength was designed to help him compete against powerful defenders and improve his hold-up play.
He eventually returned during a 1–1 draw against West Ham United. The appearance was personally important because it ended a long and frustrating period away from the team.
Transfer to Rangers
Rangers completed his permanent signing from Everton on 1 September 2025.
The official Rangers announcement confirmed that he signed a four-year contract. The deal keeps him at Ibrox until June 2029.
The official fee was undisclosed. Sky Sports reported an initial payment of around £8 million, with the total potentially rising to £10 million through add-ons.
Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell already knew him from Everton. Thelwell praised his character, professionalism and desire to improve.
The transfer gave him a fresh start and a better opportunity to receive regular senior minutes in Scottish football.
Rangers Breakthrough
His early months in Glasgow required patience. Expectations were high because of the reported transfer fee and his limited scoring record at Everton.
He scored his first Rangers goal in a 3–1 victory over Kilmarnock in October 2025.
A major turning point arrived against Celtic in January 2026. He scored twice as Rangers recovered from behind to win the Old Firm match 3–1.
His first goal was a clever backheel finish, while his second showed calm movement and control inside the penalty area.
In February, he scored the first professional hat-trick of his career during a 4–2 victory over Hearts at Ibrox.
He then produced a memorable overhead kick against Celtic in March. The goal became one of the most celebrated moments of the Scottish season.
He ended the league campaign with another hat-trick in a 5–2 victory over Falkirk.
2025–26 League Statistics
| Competition Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Scottish Premiership Appearances | 30 |
| Goals | 15 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Goal Contributions | 20 |
| Minutes Played | 1,973 |
| Red Cards | 0 |
His 15 league goals demonstrated major improvement after his difficult period in England.
Regular football, increased confidence and stronger relationships with teammates helped him become more effective in front of goal.
This type of patient long-term player development can be more important than immediate success during the early years of a career.
Portugal International Career
He has represented Portugal at several youth levels, including under-15, under-16, under-18, under-19, under-20 and under-21.
According to his Portuguese Football Federation profile, his first youth international appearance came on 27 April 2019.
He later became part of the Portugal under-21 team. By June 2026, the federation listed him with eight under-21 appearances and three goals.
His performances for Rangers brought him closer to senior international consideration. However, he was not selected for Portugal’s final 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
He remains eligible to continue his development with the under-21 side while trying to earn a future senior call-up.
Playing Style and Position
He is a natural centre-forward who normally plays through the middle.
At 1.92 metres, he offers height, strength and a strong physical presence. He can protect the ball, challenge defenders and provide a target for crosses or direct passes.
His movement improved during his first Rangers season. He became more confident when attacking space behind defenders and finding positions inside the penalty area.
He can finish with either controlled touches or powerful strikes. His goals have included headers, backheels, close-range finishes and an overhead kick.
He also contributes through combination play. His five league assists in 2025–26 showed that he can create chances instead of focusing only on scoring.
Awards and Achievements
His confirmed individual achievements include:
- Scottish Premiership Player of the Month for February 2026
- SPFL Goal of the Month for February 2026
- Rangers Men’s Goal of the Season for 2025–26
- PFA Scotland Goal of the Season for 2025–26
- First professional hat-trick against Hearts
- Two Old Firm goals against Celtic in January 2026
- Fifteen Scottish Premiership goals during his first Rangers season
His overhead kick against Celtic earned several awards and became the most recognised goal of his senior career.
Personality and Work Ethic
Club interviews present him as ambitious, focused and willing to learn.
During his difficult injury recovery, he continued working in the gym and followed a demanding physical programme. This showed maturity during a period when he could not contribute on the pitch.
He often gives credit to teammates, coaches and medical staff. After his first Rangers hat-trick, he focused on the importance of the victory rather than only celebrating his own goals.
He has also spoken publicly about fasting during Ramadan and thanking God after returning from injury.
His career shows that progress is not always smooth. Moving away from home, adapting to different countries and recovering from surgery all required patience.
Current Status
As of June 2026, he remains a Rangers player and wears the number nine shirt.
His contract runs until June 2029, giving the club control over his immediate future.
He finished the 2025–26 Scottish Premiership season with 15 goals and five assists from 30 appearances.
His next challenge is to maintain that scoring level, improve his consistency and move closer to the senior Portugal national team.
No transfer has been officially confirmed. Reports linking him with other clubs should be treated as speculation unless Rangers or another club announces an agreement.
Interesting Facts
- He grew up on Santa Maria Island in the Azores.
- Basketball was one of his favourite childhood sports.
- His two older sisters helped develop his interest in basketball.
- His family voted before allowing him to join Sporting’s academy.
- He struggled emotionally during his first months away from home.
- He began training with Sporting’s senior team at around 16.
- His Primeira Liga debut came against Benfica.
- He added muscle during his Everton injury recovery.
- His first professional hat-trick came for Rangers against Hearts.
- He scored four league goals against Celtic during his first season in Scotland.
- His overhead kick against Celtic won multiple awards.
- He speaks Portuguese and became comfortable conducting interviews in English.
Conclusion
Youssef Chermiti’s biography is a story of talent, difficult changes and growing confidence.
He moved from a small island to Sporting CP’s academy, reached Portugal’s top division as a teenager and earned a major transfer to Everton.
Injuries and limited minutes slowed his progress in England, but they did not end his ambition. He used rehabilitation to become stronger before accepting a new challenge at Rangers.
His 15-goal Scottish Premiership season showed what he can achieve with regular football. At 22, he still has time to improve his movement, finishing and consistency.
His performances at Rangers have placed him back among Portugal’s most interesting young centre-forwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Youssef Chermiti’s full name?
His full name is Youssef Ramalho Chermiti.
How old is he?
He is 22 years old as of June 2026.
When was he born?
He was born on 24 May 2004.
Where did he grow up?
He grew up in Vila do Porto on Santa Maria Island in the Azores.
Which club does he play for?
He plays as a centre-forward for Rangers.
What is his shirt number?
He wears the number nine shirt for Rangers.
Which clubs has he represented?
He has played senior football for Sporting CP, Everton and Rangers.
Does he play for Portugal?
He represents Portugal at under-21 international level.
