Rangers have completed the signing of right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic from Aston Villa, bringing the 20-year-old to Ibrox on a season-long loan.
The deal includes a £4m obligation to buy, which will be activated depending on how many appearances Nedeljkovic makes for the Gers.
Sky Sports News understands that Rangers fended off interest from rival suitors to land the Serbian defender, with talks between the player, manager Derek McInnes and Serbia team-mate Vanja Dragojevic playing a key role in convincing him to move to Glasgow.
Dragojevic himself only recently completed a switch to Ibrox, having joined from Partizan Belgrade on an initial four-year contract to become Rangers' seventh summer arrival, and his presence at the club appears to have smoothed the path for his compatriot's arrival.
Nedeljkovic first arrived at Villa Park in January 2024 after leaving Red Star Belgrade, but his time in the Midlands yielded just 10 senior appearances, a stint punctuated by a season and a half spent on loan at RB Leipzig in Germany.
According to TeamTalk, Rangers had actually been negotiating for the defender for several weeks before the move was finalised, while a report on X from Villa Report suggested the Scottish club had weighed up both a permanent cash deal and a loan arrangement before opting for the loan-with-obligation structure that was eventually agreed.
Further detail on the financial terms has since emerged, with Football Transfers reporting the permanent fee attached to the obligation stands at €4.7 million, which converts to the £4m figure already confirmed. Separately, the BBC reported that the obligation to buy is structured around a set number of appearances rather than tied to any particular date.
This latest addition takes Rangers' tally of summer signings to 11, and further recruitment is anticipated as the transfer window continues to move.
Ibrox officials are said to be on the hunt for a new striker and winger before the Scottish deadline day of September 3, with Portland Timbers forward Kevin Kelsy and Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry both understood to be on Rangers' radar.
Reflecting on his move, Nedeljkovic said:
"I am very excited, Rangers is such a big club, a big family and I am excited to join and help the team have success together."
"For me, it was an easy decision after meeting with the coach, I only wanted Rangers. It is a big opportunity and a big responsibility. I always try to be positive and work hard so I am ready to help the team."
McInnes was equally pleased to welcome the young full-back, praising both his attributes and his pedigree.
"Kosta is a talented young player who we are really pleased to bring to the club."
"He has already gained some valuable experience at a high level in England and Germany, as well as representing Serbia internationally. Kosta is an athletic and energetic full-back who is keen to get forward, but he also has a real desire to defend and compete and he will further strengthen a key area for us."
"I look forward to welcoming Kosta to Rangers, and working with him moving forward."
What happens next
The move for Nedeljkovic was being described as "nearly there" as recently as 19 August, with suggestions the defender could even be available for Rangers' Conference League play-off tie against Jablonec on Thursday, according to the BBC.
Should his registration be processed in time, Nedeljkovic could feasibly be involved in that first-leg fixture, giving Rangers an immediate boost to their defensive options as they push for European progress while the domestic transfer market remains open for further business.
