Joe Rothwell is ready made Rangers winner as Russell Martin steps up chase for three more targets

Joe Rothwell is ready made Rangers winner as Russell Martin steps up chase for three more targets

The former Bournemouth midfielder becomes the second signing from the Cherries following the arrival of Max Aarons at Ibrox

Joe Rothwell has signed for Rangers

Russell Martin insists he’s lured a ready-made winner to Ibrox after being reunited with Joe Rothwell.

The Rangers boss has fought off competition from Spain to land the Bournemouth midfielder on a three-year deal.

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Martin knows Rothwell well having previously worked with the 30-year-old during a loan stint at Southampton.

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Together, they helped lead Saints back to the Premier League with victory over Leeds United in the 2024 play-off final at Wembley.

Rothwell was farmed out again last season, making amends with the Elland Road support as he helped Leeds to Championship glory.

Now he’s made a permanent switch to Ibrox and Martin hopes his old lieutenant can carry on that triumphant run with Gers.

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Martin - who is also stepping up attempts to bolster his defence with moves for Conor Coady, Peterborough's Emmanuel Fernandez and Wolves youngster Nassar Djiga - 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 up the squad, get to know his teammates, and help make the group stronger.”

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The ball-carrying midfield ace started his career at Manchester United before racking up his first taste of first-team action while on loan at Blackpool and Barnsley.

He made a permanent move to Oxford United in 2016, where his performances earned the attention of former Celtic boss Tony Mowbray - then in charge at Ewood.

Mowbray highlighted his Premier League potential the day he signed and that was fulfilled four years later when he won a move to top-flight Bournemouth after registering 150 appearances with Rovers.

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Now he’s made the move to Glasgow, he admits it was the lure of working with Martin again that brought him north.

“I am delighted to have the deal done and be here,” he 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.”

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New Rangers boss Russell Martin

Gers’ sporting director, Kevin Thelwell added: “We are thrilled to secure Joe’s services as we continue to strengthen the squad this summer.

“He has a wealth of experience in the game having performed strongly over a number of years at various levels in England.

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“We believe he has the right temperament and quality as a player to be a strong addition to the squad and look forward to seeing his impact.”

With Rothwell tied up, Thelwell and Martin will now turn their attention to stiffening the Light Blues’ backline.

Coady is expected to arrive any day now having agreed to cut ties with relegated Leicester City.

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Gers are in talks with Peterborough over a fee for Fernandez, while reports down south also say Gers are closing in on a season-long loan move for Djiga.

The 22-year-old joined Wolves in January following a £10million switch from Serbian side Red Star Belgrade.

Nasser Djiga of Wolverhampton Wanderers

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But having failed to make much of an impact beyond one Premier League start that saw him dragged off after 45 minutes and a handful of substitute appearances, Molineux boss Vitor Pereira wants the Burkina Faso international to gain some further first-team experience at Ibrox.

Wolves still have big plans for Djiga, so will not include an option to buy in the loan package.

Meanwhile, Lille remain interested in Hamza Igamane despite having yet to make an official bid for the Ibrox striker.

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Record Sport revealed last week that the Ligue 1 outfit had been spooked by Rangers £15million pricetag.

Speaking in a briefing to journalists after the unveiling of French World Cup winner Olivier Giroud, LOSC president Olivier Letang confirmed they are still keen on Igamane but talks have not progressed to the point where they feel ready to make a formal offer.

Record Sport understands the Mastiffs are unlikely to offer much more than £13million plus add-ons for the Moroccan.

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