Leeds United loan star closing in on move to Glasgow Rangers after vital role in title glory

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ByMusa
July 1, 2025

Leeds United’s 2024/25 loan standout Joe Rothwell is nearing a transfer to Rangers.

The midfielder, whose pinpoint set-pieces were crucial during Leeds’ promotion-winning campaign, is set to sign a two-year deal with the Glasgow club—provided Bournemouth and Rangers can finalize the agreement.

If completed, Rothwell would become the second player to move from Bournemouth to Rangers this summer, following Max Aarons’ arrival at Ibrox. Aarons had previously been a target for Leeds, even undergoing a medical, before Bournemouth swooped in to secure his signature.

This potential deal comes after Leeds’ owners, 49ers Enterprises, joined a consortium to take over Rangers earlier this summer. Elland Road chairman Paraag Marathe has since taken on a vice-chairman role with the Scottish giants.

Rothwell, 30, initially had limited opportunities at Leeds last season but seized his chance after injuries to Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu. Once in the lineup, he built a strong midfield partnership with Ao Tanaka, earning praise from Daniel Farke as one of the division’s best technical midfielders.

The former Blackburn Rovers man—who briefly worked under Rangers manager Russell Martin at Southampton—featured 36 times for Leeds in the Championship, contributing four assists. Among his key moments were two pinpoint crosses that led to Pascal Struijk’s goals in a dramatic comeback victory over Sunderland.