Rangers are very close to finalizing their first transfer deadline day signing, with a medical passed yesterday in Paris, the deal is set to be announced in the coming hours.
As previously reported, Canadian international central defender Derek Cornelious is set to join the Ibrox club from French Ligue 1 side Marseille.
He played his final game for Les Olympiens last night, coming on as a first half substitute in their league match away to Lyon.
The deal will see Cornelius link up with new head coach Russell Martin and his side during the international break on an initial loan deal, with an option to buy.
Should the deal be made permanent next summer his contract would last to the end of season 2028/29, meaning a four-year deal in total including his season on loan.
The 35-time capped Reds stopper was rumoured to be attracting interest from Italy, in particular Cremonese, former club of outgoing Cyriel Dessers, but the Serie A side have secured the services of Rennes defender Mikayil Faye, clearing the way for Cornelious to complete his move to Scotland.
Cornelious was impressive during his spell in Sweden with Malmo, during his two seasons in the Allsvenskan he won the title both times, as well as the 2024 Svenska Cupen, so he has experience of winning leagues and trophies, something badly missing from the current crop of Gers players.
Tall, athletic and a good passer of the ball, particularly long passes, a trait missing from the Light Blue’s backline since the departure of Connor Goldson last summer, and is also naturally left sided, with Martin finally replacing the outgoing Ben Davies and Robin Propper.
John Souttar has been the makeshift left sided defender, but the Scotland international has looked awkward and out of place, as Rangers have limped to four successive league draws and a humiliating exit from the UEFA Champions League to Belgian side Club Brugge, losing 6-0 away and 9-1 on aggregate.
Cornelious will fill in next to on loan Wolves defender Nasser Djiga at the heart of defence. In a strange twist Rangers full backline could be made up entirely of loanees.
Full backs Max Aarons and Jayden Meghoma are both on temporary deals at Ibrox, along with Djiga and theoretically Rangers could line up with a full backline loaned into the club.
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Rangers will, barring any dramatic fall off in form, sign the Canadian next summer, this loan move is simply a way to get around FFP regulations as the club look set to spend big money on forwards Jesurun Rak-Sakyi from Crystal Palace and Youssef Chermiti from Everton this deadline day.
Deals for the likes of Oumar Diakite, Kenny McLean and Juventus left back Jonas Rouhi all remain active heading into what looks set to be a busy deadline day for Martin and for Rangers.