The messages from Michael Beale and the conversations with his agent quickly convinced Danilo that a move to Rangers was right for him as a player and a person. Some added words of encouragement online may not have been needed but they certainly didn’t do any harm.
The Brazilian striker became Beale’s eighth signing of the summer when he completed his switch from Feyenoord last week. At around £5million, Danilo is the most expensive signing of the window so far at Ibrox and such a price tag naturally brings a certain level of pressure.
It brings an excitement, too. In this regard, those feelings are certainly mutual, and Danilo is as enthused by the prospect of playing for Rangers as the supporters are of seeing him wear the No.99 shirt.
His first week in Glasgow has been spent getting to know the city and settling into a new squad as Beale’s side continue their preparations for the Premiership opener with Kilmarnock and the upcoming Champions League qualifier with Servette.
Danilo is learning day by day but he arrived with an understanding of what to expect from a fan base that have already developed a fondness for him.
"I am looking forward to scoring my first goal at Ibrox," Danilo said. "I want to make history for the club.
"The fans are huge and that was another of the main reasons to come here.
"I got messages every day when I was watching Twitter saying, ‘Come Danilo, we are the people.’
"I follow God and I put up words from the Bible sometimes. I shared one time a saying that God is the way and the fans were saying, ‘no, we are the way, we are the people!’
"That was when I said to my family and my agent ‘okay we need to make this happen.’
"I felt so much love when I arrived here and it made me feel so comfortable and so at home."
Glasgow is now the latest home from home for Danilo. He left Brazil in the formative stages of his fledgling career as Ajax gave him his first chance in the European game.
A switch to Feyenoord was the next step, albeit a fleeting one. After just one campaign at De Kuip, he has arrived at Ibrox with a renewed motivation and silverware in his sights.
He cites Ronaldo and Gabriel Jesus, a forward that others have compared him to in terms of style, as two of his heroes and figures that he has looked up to in his career to date and ranks Rangers as a move up from Feyenoord as he seeks to develop further and challenge for honours once again.
His decision to leave Holland was a straightforward one for him, yet it did cause consternation with team-mate Igor Paixao. The Brazilian didn’t want to see his compatriot quit the club but Danilo’s mind was made up and his heart was set on Rangers.
“That’s a little bit private but of course he’s my brother for life," Danilo said. "I’ll follow his career everywhere. I wished him all the best and he also said the same to me.
“Of course he knows that if something is better for my future, my career and my family then that comes first and is most important.
“Igor and I had a really great bond together and a great connection. We were together 24/7 but if he had a chancer to do something great for his career, of course I’d wish him good luck.
“He said to me, ‘Come on you can stay!’ But it was my decision and the decision of my family [to join Rangers]."
Once that call had been made, it was only a matter of time before a deal was done. Rangers had to be patient in their negotiations but their perseverance finally paid off and the acquisition of Danilo completes a new-look forward line that also includes Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers.
Beale has been extensively backed in the transfer market this summer. That investment must be repaid in terms of trophies and titles and Danilo is primed to play a key role in that process in the coming years.
“I’m super happy to be here and so glad to be part of the Rangers family," Danilo said. “With any player, when Rangers come and they really want you then you can’t have any doubts.
“When Rangers were speaking with my agent we agreed that we definitely should go there. It’s a great competition and a great club to make a big step. Rangers are a huge club.
“The coach has a great vision of the future. Of the tactics, the planning and what the goals for our team. All the players he has brought in he has had meetings with before.
“I think it’s going to be tough, a lot of competition for places and I think that’s important too.
“We have players who can play in different positions and there are a lot of games to be played over the course of the season.”
If Rangers are going to deliver the success that is demanded and required this season, Beale simply must get the best out of those that he has backed to hit the goal trail at Ibrox.
The partnership between Danilo and Dessers will be integral in that regard. The pair have been in the same dressing room before but it is one of the quirks of the game that the former Feyenoord team-mates will now link-up for the Light Blues.
“I just met him when I arrived, and then he left," Danilo said as he recalled the events that saw him signed to replace Dessers when he quit the Dutch giants to join Cremonese last summer. "I played against him, I actually made my debut against him and he scored that day.
“I have only ever played against him. Now here at Rangers I have the chance to play alongside him. I am glad about that.
“He is a great striker. He is strong and he can help me a lot. Sometimes in this competition there is a lot of contact so this will help me a lot.
“In training we are trying to build that connection. He is a great guy and a great player. To share the field with him will be amazing.”
That first opportunity will arrive at Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon as Rangers get their Premiership title bid off and running. Come Wednesday evening, all sights will be set on the Champions League.
Victory over Servette in the third qualifying round would be a significant achievement for this new-look side. Group stage football must be the ultimate goal once again as Beale gears up for his first full campaign in charge at Ibrox.
Danilo said: "Rangers are a club who play for big huge competitions and the Champions League is one of them.
"We are training hard and doing everything to get there, but first we must think of the weekend.
"Afterwards we can think about Servette. But we are going to do our best to make it happen. First Kilmarnock at the weekend and then after that we think of Europe."
