James Penrice has completed his move to Rangers from AEK Athens on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy, providing Derek McInnes with a natural left-back option.
Rangers confirmed the deal ahead of Sunday's League Cup clash with St Mirren, with McInnes welcoming the 27-year-old to Ibrox.
“We’re excited to welcome James to the club and believe he will be a very good addition to the squad,” McInnes said.
“He plays in an area of the pitch where we are currently a little light, so it was important that we brought in someone who can bolster us in that position and provide competition.”
Penrice returns to Scotland after spending the previous season with AEK Athens, where he won the Greek Super League title, following an impressive campaign with Hearts.
The defender has also previously represented Livingston and Partick Thistle and has extensive Scottish Premiership experience.
‘It’s definitely a dream’
Penrice admitted his Rangers move fulfils a boyhood ambition, having previously spent a short period in the club's academy as a youngster.
“It’s a bit surreal. It’s been a long time since I came through the building at Murray Park, but I’m delighted to finally get it done,” he said.
“It’s been a hell of a couple of weeks, but it’s done now.”
Asked whether joining Rangers represented a childhood dream, Penrice was unequivocal.
“Oh, absolutely. It’s somewhere where, at the start of my career, I could only dream of coming to play. So, to get the chance now to represent the club, it’s a dream.”
Penrice revealed Rangers' interest had previously been discussed in January, although a move failed to materialise at that stage.
He said that when interest resurfaced during the summer, his focus immediately turned towards securing the transfer.
“As soon as it came to the summer and there was a wee kind of sniff, my full focus was on that. I was trying to get that done.”
Rangers had been considering a loan
Penrice's arrival comes after Rangers assessed their options at left-back following injuries within the squad.
Tuur Rommens is expected to be out for around two months, leaving McInnes short of natural options in the position.
Rangers had also considered another temporary deal for Jayden Meghoma, who spent last season at Ibrox, but the club ultimately moved in a different direction.
16-year-old Ashton Scally is viewed internally as a potential long-term understudy to Rommens, but Rangers did not want to place that responsibility on the teenager while he continues his recovery from his own injury.
A loan deal for Penrice therefore allows the club to address the immediate issue without blocking Scally's longer-term pathway.
The inclusion of an option to buy also gives Rangers the opportunity to make the move permanent if the defender impresses during his time at Ibrox.
Ready for Scottish football
Penrice believes his previous experience in Scotland means he can adapt quickly.
He enjoyed a particularly strong campaign with Hearts before moving abroad to join AEK, where he experienced winning a league title.
“I was in a real good vein of form at Hearts. It was a very good personal season, but at the same time, I had to go and take the jump,” Penrice explained.
“I couldn’t turn down the chance to play with AEK, and I’m thankful I’ve done that.”
He believes the experience of playing abroad has also helped him develop.
“It was an unbelievable experience. To win a league as well, it’s something some players go through their full career and don’t get that.”
Despite leaving Scotland, Penrice said he continued to follow the Premiership closely.
“I played in the [Premiership] for a number of years. I kind of know every team, but me being away for a year, I was still watching every game.”
Familiar faces at Rangers
Penrice will also encounter several familiar faces at Ibrox, including players he knew previously and coaching staff members from earlier in his career.
He specifically highlighted Alan Archibald, who gave him an opportunity as a young player at Firhill.
“Alan was kind of the first one that showed the faith in me when I was really young. He put me into the first team and gave me a number of starts for the first team.”
The defender is also under no illusions about the expectations that come with playing for Rangers.
“It’s a massive club and there is only one objective, which is to win stuff.”
“When you don’t, there comes the pressure. I’m fully aware of what is expected here.”
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