Rangers have completed the signing of Serbian midfielder Vanja Dragojevic, making him the club’s seventh addition of the summer as Ibrox boss Philippe Clement continues to reshape his squad ahead of the new season.
Dragojevic arrives with plenty to say for himself, wasting no time in telling supporters that this move has been on his radar for a while. The 23-year-old made clear he has wanted this transfer for months, suggesting the deal was far from a last-minute scramble and that Rangers were very much his priority destination.
“I’ve wanted this for a long time,” Dragojevic said after putting pen to paper. “When I heard Rangers were interested, I knew straight away this was where I wanted to be. I can’t wait to get started.”
The midfielder has also spoken about taking on a leadership role at the club, with those close to the deal describing him as a natural organiser in the middle of the park. For a Rangers side that has looked to add steel and experience to their engine room, that kind of profile is exactly what Clement has been hunting.
Dragojevic comes through the door having built his career in Serbian football before attracting attention from clubs across Europe. His ability to control tempo, break up opposition play and drive forward with purpose made him a standout target for the Ibrox recruitment team over the course of the summer window.
Rangers have been busy this summer, with seven signings now through the door as the club looks to mount a serious title challenge against Celtic. Last season was a difficult one by the club’s own high standards, and the board have backed Clement with funds to bring in players who can genuinely shift the balance of power in the Scottish Premiership.
Adding a midfielder of Dragojevic’s profile gives Clement more options in what is arguably the most important area of the pitch. Rangers have at times struggled for control in games last season, and a player who sees himself as a leader and organiser could make a real difference to how the team functions week to week.
Fans on social media have reacted warmly to the news, with many pointing to his comments about wanting the move for months as a sign that he arrives with genuine hunger rather than just following the money. That kind of attitude tends to go down well at Ibrox, where supporters expect players to understand the size of the club and what it means to pull on the jersey.
With pre-season preparations well underway, Dragojevic will be hoping to hit the ground running and force his way into Clement’s starting eleven as quickly as possible. The competition for midfield places is fierce, but if his early words are anything to go by, he is not the type to sit back and wait for his chance.
Rangers kick off their league campaign in the coming weeks, and the hope from everyone connected with the club is that this summer’s recruitment drive translates into results where it matters most.