Rangers reach full transfer agreement for second summer signing

25 Jun 2026 09:01 BST | 7 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Rangers have reportedly reached a full agreement to re-sign Bristol City defender Ross McCrorie for a transfer fee of just over €1 million.

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The 28-year-old has been in talks over an Ibrox return for several days and it has now been reported that he is on the verge of rejoining the club as their second signing of the summer transfer window after Lawrence Shankland.

Current ETV

Ross McCrorie

D (R), M (RL)

Bristol City

Ross McCrorie

D (R), M (RL)

Bristol City

ETV Range

€1.6M - €2.4M

The Scotland right-back, who has two senior international caps but wasn’t included in Steve Clarke’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, made 41 appearances across all competitions for Bristol City last season, but they have now sanctioned a sale, in part due to the fact that his current deal was set to expire next summer.

McCrorie spent nine years at Rangers before being sold to Aberdeen for a mere fee of €225,000 in 2021, and he is expected to become the club’s new starting right-back following the departure of captain James Tavernier upon the expiration of his contract.

Max Aarons has also returned to Bournemouth after a loan spell last year, with McCrorie expected to be a regular starter under new boss Derek McInnes, who was officially appointed as the new Rangers manager on Wednesday following the departure of Danny Rohl.

The Rangers Review report that McCrorie has agreed a three-year deal at Ibrox, while a transfer fee of just over €1m has been finalised with Bristol City. The 28-year-old reportedly had offers to remain in the Championship next season, but the allure of returning to Rangers proved too strong and he will be formally announced as the first signing of the McInnes era shortly.

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Rangers receive Steven Gerrard verdict on Ross McCrorie

McCrorie made 55 first-team appearances for Rangers before his permanent exit in 2021, with the bulk of that involvement coming under former boss Steven Gerrard.

Speaking to reporters ahead of McCrorie’s loan move to Portsmouth in x, Gerrard said: “I think it's very important to clear some things up and speculation in the media. There is no deal for him to go there permanently.

“It's a loan, it's a development loan to improve him because he's our player and we want him here for a long time and we want him to get to the next level.

“I could have been selfish and kept him here to be a squad player, but maybe being a squad player won't move him along or develop him as quickly as he wants. Hopefully he'll play 40, 50 games and come back next year ready to challenge the lads I've got here. He's certainly one of ours and we've got big plans for Ross McCrorie.

“It's a great move for him. I had a really honest conversation with Ross, man to man. I said to Ross where do you think you're at, what do you want out of the season. He told me he was desperate for 40, 50 games and I agreed with him.

“That will be really good for his development, I think Portsmouth is a really good club. The fans are demanding there so that will prepare him well for the future here.”

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