Kieran Dowell has brought his Rangers career to an end after departing Ibrox today to complete a move to an unnamed English club – believed to be Championship side Hull City.
The midfielder was noticeably absent from training photos released by the club this morning, and sources within Rangers have indicated that Dowell has now said his goodbyes, cleared his locker at the training centre and begun preparations for his return to England.
Hull have been linked with the former Everton and Norwich City man throughout the January transfer window, and respected journalist Alan Nixon has also indicated that the Tigers are set to be Dowell’s destination.
The move is expected to be a loan deal until the end of the season, with Dowell’s Rangers contract due to expire in the summer. Hull are currently under a transfer embargo limiting them to free transfers and loan deals only - eliminating any chance of Rangers recieving a fee.
The 28-year-old leaves Ibrox just days after scoring his first goal for Rangers in over two years, netting with a clever header in last Friday’s 5–0 Scottish Cup victory over Annan Athletic. That strike proved to be his farewell moment in a Rangers shirt.
Dowell arrived in Glasgow in the summer of 2023, signed by then-manager Michael Beale from the Canaries – the same club Rangers had recruited Todd Cantwell from six months earlier. He made an instant impression, scoring early in his Rangers career during a win over Livingston at Ibrox.
However, despite inconsistent flashes of quality, Dowell struggled to establish himself as a regular starter. Injuries and inconsistent form limited his impact under Beale and later Philippe Clement, who sanctioned a loan move to Birmingham City in January 2025 in the hope of reigniting his career.
After returning to Rangers in the summer under new head coach Russell Martin, Dowell’s future initially appeared uncertain. Despite links away from the club, he remained part of the squad through July and August, featuring in UEFA Champions League qualifiers against Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzeň, as well as Scottish Premiership matches against Motherwell and Dundee.
He also played in Rangers early season League Cup victory over Alloa Athletic at Ibrox.
Just as he seemed to be working his way back into the manager’s plans, Dowell suffered another injury ahead of Rangers final European qualifiers against Club Brugge. His absence coincided with a turbulent period at the club, which ultimately saw Martin dismissed and Danny Rohl appointed as head coach.
Dowell returned to the matchday squad following a 1–0 win over Hibernian at Easter Road and had been named on the bench for every subsequent fixture until last week’s cup tie with Annan.
Given a rare start, he took his chance, scoring Rangers third goal of the night and showing glimpses of the technical quality that had once made him such a highly rated prospect in his younger years.
That appearance now appears to have been his final outing in Light Blue.
In total, Dowell made 39 appearances for Rangers, scoring three goals and providing three assists across all competitions. He also featured once for Rangers B in the Scottish Challenge Cup during his time at the club.
While his spell in Glasgow never fully lived up to early expectations, Dowell departs with goodwill from those at the club – who often praised his attitude and professionalism.
For Rangers, the move frees up squad space and wage flexibility as Rohl continues to reshape his side. For Dowell, a return to English football offers the chance for a fresh start and regular game time in a familiar environment.
With Hull City pushing for a strong finish in the English Championship, currently occupying a playoff spot for promotion to the English Premier League, the midfielder will be hoping his move south can reignite the form that once made him one of the most promising talents in English football.
An official announcement is expected in the coming days, but for now, Kieran Dowell’s Rangers chapter is over – ending quietly, but with a parting goal to remember.