Joe Rothwell’s Rangers exit is now entering its final stage, with the midfielder having successfully completed his medical ahead of his move to Sheffield United, leaving only formal confirmation to follow.
The deal is understood to be fully agreed between the clubs, with documentation now being processed after the key medical hurdle was cleared. While the English transfer window officially shut at 7pm, EFL procedure allows clubs until 9pm to finalise and submit paperwork for transfers that were already in progress before the deadline.
Rothwell’s switch falls into that category, meaning there is no expectation of the move collapsing at this late point unless an unforeseen issue arises.
For Rangers, this marks the conclusion of a short and ultimately underwhelming chapter. Rothwell arrived in the summer during the tenure of Russell Martin, seen as an experienced operator capable of adding composure and progression to the midfield unit.
However, injuries disrupted his rhythm early on, and subsequent managerial change altered the landscape significantly.
Since Danny Rohl took charge, Rothwell has slipped markedly down the pecking order. Tactical preferences, system adjustments and the emergence of alternative options have limited his opportunities, leaving him on the fringes during a crucial period of the season.
With Rangers pushing for consistency in the run-in, carrying a player unlikely to feature regularly no longer made sense from a squad-management perspective.
The successful medical was always likely to be the decisive checkpoint. Rothwell’s recent fitness history meant Sheffield United would conduct thorough assessments before committing. Clearance at that stage effectively removed the biggest risk factor, paving the way for the transfer to proceed smoothly.
At Bramall Lane, manager Chris Wilder views Rothwell as a useful addition to bolster midfield depth and competition.
Wilder has long appreciated Rothwell’s profile, and the expectation is he will be integrated quickly once registration is confirmed.
From Rangers standpoint, the move frees a squad place and eases wage commitments while allowing the player a fresh start in a league and environment where he has previously been more settled.
The Ibrox side now turn their attention to maintaining balance and availability in the midfield unit as the season enters its decisive stretch.
With the medical completed and paperwork progressing inside the post-deadline window, this is now a matter of official timing rather than uncertainty. Confirmation is expected shortly, bringing closure to a move that has developed rapidly over the past few days and drawing a line under Rothwell’s brief Rangers spell.