Rangers back Derek McInnes with 11th summer signing

18 Aug 2026 11:53 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Rangers are poised to complete the signing of Aston Villa defender Kosta Nedeljkovic on an initial loan deal, with an obligation to buy for €4.7 million (£4m) next summer.

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The 20-year-old has only made 10 first-team appearances for Villa, following his arrival from Red Star Belgrade in January 2024, and after spending the second half of last season on loan at RB Leipzig, he is now on the verge of leaving the club.

Current ETV

Kosta Nedeljkovic

D (R)

A. Villa

Kosta Nedeljkovic

D (R)

A. Villa

ETV Range

€8.1M - €11M

It’s understood that Nedeljkovic has held talks with new Rangers boss Derek McInnes ahead of the move, while the Scottish giants have been in contact with Aston Villa throughout the summer amid their interest in the Serbia international.

The right-back will initially join Rangers on a season-long loan deal, although the move will be made permanent for €4.7m when the 2027 summer transfer window opens, as per The Athletic.

Villa are expected to sign a new right-back to compete with Matty Cash after selling Nedeljkovic, with West Ham United star Aaron Wan-Bissaka believed to be on their radar, and they have also been linked with Chelsea flop Christopher Nkunku after injuries to Brian Madjo and Tammy Abraham.

When Nedeljkovic’s move to Ibrox is officially announced, he will become Rangers’ 11th signing of the summer window after Ivor Pandur, Vanja Dragojevic, Olwethu Makhanya, Daisuke Yokota, Ross McCrorie, Dan Neil, Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin, James Penrice (loan) and Ben Godfrey (loan).

After two draws and two defeats in their opening four matches of the season, Rangers finally earned McInnes’ first win as their new head coach on Sunday thanks to a 5-1 victory over St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup.

© IMAGO - Kosta Nedeljkovic, Aston Villa

Rangers fail with Amario Cozier-Duberry bid

While Rangers are close to announcing the loan signing of Nedeljkovic, they failed with an €8.8m (£7.5m) for Brighton & Hove Albion winger Amario Cozier-Duberry on Monday, as per BBC Sport.

The 21-year-old, who caught the eye on loan at Bolton Wanderers last season, has been linked with an Ibrox switch for several weeks, but Rangers have seen their first official offer rejected by Fabian Hurzeler’s side.

Cozier-Duberry has featured regularly for Brighton during pre-season, however he has been tipped to leave the AMEX Stadium before the window closes on 1 September amid significant interest from Rangers and several Championship clubs.

If Brighton sell Cozier-Duberry before Deadline Day, they are expected to pursue a move for Millwall winger Femi Ameez, who scored 11 goals and provided seven assists in the second-tier last season.