Kieran Dowell’s departure from Rangers has taken another twist, with fresh evidence now suggesting the midfielder has joined Hull City on a permanent free transfer, rather than a loan.
On Wednesday, Inside Ibrox revealed that Dowell had left Rangers to complete a move to an unnamed English club after being absent from training and clearing his locker at the Rangers Training Centre.
Shortly after, Chris Jack of The Rangers Review confirmed the destination as Hull City, with early indications suggesting the deal would be a loan move until the end of the season.
However, that understanding has since been challenged by journalists close to Hull City, local to the English side, who reported that the move was in fact a permanent transfer - and now the Tigers chairman has added significant weight to that claim.
Hull City top-dog Acun Ilıcalı appeared to confirm the structure of the deal via social media. Responding on X to a post suggesting Hull were signing multiple players on loan, Ilıcalı replied: “1 loan 2 permanent, we did our magic.”
The original post stated: “Toby Collyer, Kieran Dowell & Paddy McNair are all set to sign for City on loan. #HCAFC will have 8 players on loan meaning 3 will need to be left out of the squad.
“Hadziahmetovic, John Lundstram, Paddy McNair, Kieran Dowell, Joe Gelhardt, Yu Hirakawa, Toby Collyer, Joel Ndala.”
Ilıcalı’s response appears to clarify that only one of those deals is a loan, while two are permanent signings - strongly implying that Dowell has joined Hull on a permanent basis.
With Toby Collyer almost certain to arrive on loan from Manchester United, attention has turned to Dowell and Paddy McNair as the permanent additions.
Crucially, Hull City are currently restricted to loan deals and free transfers only, meaning Dowell’s move would have been completed without a fee.
That development aligns with Dowell’s contract situation at Rangers, with his deal at Ibrox due to expire in the summer.
A free transfer now allows Hull to secure the midfielder immediately, while Rangers move on a player who was entering the final months of his contract.
Dowell leaves Rangers after a mixed spell in Glasgow.
Signed by Michael Beale from Norwich City in 2023, the former Everton midfielder showed early promise but struggled to establish himself due to injuries and competition for places.
He made 39 appearances in total, scoring three goals and providing three assists, with his final contribution coming in the form of a goal during Rangers 5–0 Scottish Cup win over Annan Athletic.
At Hull, Dowell reunites with former Rangers midfielder Lundstram, while the Tigers continue an aggressive enhancement of their squad despite the constraints placed upon them as they push for promotion to the English Premier League.
The club draw a clean line under Dowell’s time at Ibrox, remove his wages from the books immediately, and avoid a short-term arrangement that delays the inevitable.
While official confirmation from Rangers and Hull City is still awaited, Ilıcalı’s public intervention strongly suggests the deal is already done - and that Dowell’s Rangers career has ended not with a loan exit, but with a permanent departure south of the border.