Olwethu Makhanya has described joining Rangers as "part of the plan" after completing his move from Philadelphia Union.
The centre-back has signed an initial four-year contract at Ibrox until 2030, with the club holding the option of an additional year, becoming Derek McInnes' seventh signing of the summer transfer window and Rangers’ eighth.
Makhanya arrives after impressing in Major League Soccer, where he established himself as a first-team regular with Philadelphia Union before earning his senior South Africa debut earlier this year.
Makhanya says Ibrox is part of the plan
Speaking for the first time as a Rangers player, the 22-year-old admitted the opportunity to play in Europe had been a lifelong ambition.
"I can't even explain how I feel right now," he said.
"It's honestly a big honour and a huge blessing for me to join such a big club with so much European history. I just can't wait to get started and make history with the club."
The move represents another significant milestone in a career that has taken him from South Africa to the United States and the World Cup before now arriving in Glasgow.
"For me it's always been a big dream to play European football ever since I was a kid," Makhanya explained.
"So being here is a huge blessing and a dream come true for me."
The defender also revealed his representatives played a key role in helping him decide that Rangers was the correct next step.
"The people I speak to about these things the most are my agents," he said.
"They've always understood my dream and where I'm trying to go. We've always had a plan of how I'm going to get there.
"Being here is part of the plan."
Makhanya admitted he already knew plenty about Rangers before interest emerged.
"I know Rangers to be one of the biggest clubs in the Scottish league. It has a lot of history and also a history of developing really good players."
His move follows an impressive spell with Philadelphia Union, where he progressed from the club's second team in the US minor leagues into the MLS first team before establishing himself as a regular.
That experience, coupled with representing South Africa at the World Cup this summer, has left him feeling prepared for another major step in his career.
Ball playing defender arrives at Ibrox
Describing his own game, Makhanya believes Rangers supporters can expect a composed defender who is comfortable in possession but equally capable of matching the physical demands of Scottish football.
"I like to describe myself as a very composed centre-back," he said.
"I'm very comfortable on the ball, quick, strong in aerial duels and can be very physical if the game demands that."
After watching his new teammates train for the first time, Makhanya admitted he was eager to get started.
"I just wanted to step on the pitch so badly," he said.
"I'm really excited and I can't wait to get started."
Add us as a preferred source on Google