download All Football App

Joe Rothwell: Rangers sign midfielder from Bournemouth on three-year deal

  /  autty

Rangers have signed Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell and Peterborough defender Emmanuel Fernandez.

Rothwell, 30, reunites with boss Russell Martin, who he played under at Southampton during a loan spell in 2023/24.

Rothwell helped Saints to promotion from the Championship to the Premier League and did the same last season with Leeds while on loan there.

The Manchester United academy graduate turned down the opportunity to go to LaLiga to complete his switch to Ibrox and became the club's third signing of the summer, after Max Aarons, who joined on loan from Bournemouth, and Lyall Cameron from Dundee.

However, the incomings soon amounted to four as, later on Wednesday 23-year-old defender Fernandez agreed a four-year deal to make the switch from League One. The centre-back said he was "shocked" to get the call from Rangers, having begun his career at Brentford before spells with Gillingham and Ramsgate.

Rothwell drawn by Martin connection

"I am delighted to have the deal done and be here," Rothwell said. "It is brilliant. The size of the club speaks for itself and as soon as the interest was there it was an immediate yes from me.

"With Russell coming in too it made that decision a little bit easier because working with him in the past and I know what type of guy he is and how he wants to do things. That was an even bigger pull for me, but the club speaks for itself."

Martin said: "He is a player who we thoroughly enjoyed working with during my time at Southampton.

"His leadership, professionalism and quality were a huge asset. He is joining on the back of two promotions so helps bring a real winning mentality to the group.

"We are excited for Joe to join the squad, get to know his teammates, and help make the group stronger."

Fernandez shocked by Rangers call

Speaking after signing for Rangers, Fernandez said: "I am honoured, it is a huge club with a great fanbase and I think I can kickstart my career and have a good journey here.

"I was shocked when I heard about Rangers because it is such a big club but it was the place I wanted to be.

"I haven't played at this level, there will be a lot of life changes for me, but it is something I want to be part of and I can't wait to get started."

Martin said about the centre-back: "Emmanuel is a young defender with a huge amount of potential, and I am excited to welcome him to the club.

"He has a strong physical presence, is a commanding defender and I believe in this environment we can help him develop and provide him with the opportunities to take his game to the next level.

"I'm looking forward to welcoming him into the group and getting to work."

Rangers in talks to sign defender Djiga

Rangers are in talks to sign Wolves centre-back Nasser Djiga on loan.

The 22-year-old joined Wolves in February from Red Star Belgrade for £10m and it is understood Rangers want to bring the Burkina Faso international in on a season-long deal. He has five years left on his contract at Molineux.