Rangers transfer news: Daisuke Yokota joins from Hannover 96 to become Derek McInnes' ninth summer signing
Daisuke Yokota has joined Rangers in a deal worth an initial £2.75m plus add-ons; he has signed a three-year contract with the option of a further 12 months; the Japanese player is Rangers' ninth summer signing
Wednesday 5 August 2026 10:58, UK
Rangers have completed the signing of winger Daisuke Yokota from Hannover 96.
The 26-year-old has moved to Ibrox for an initial fee of £2.75m plus add-ons, and has signed a three-year deal, with the option of an additional 12 months.
Yokota - who scored five goals and provided four assists in Germany's second division last season - could be included in Rangers' Europa League squad as they prepare to face Jagiellonia Białystok in the first leg of their third-round qualifier on Thursday.
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He is Rangers' ninth summer signing, following Ivor Pandur, Vanja Dragojevic, Olwethu Makhanya, Ross McCrorie, Dan Neil, Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin and Ben Godfrey.
Speaking after signing for the club, Yokota said: "I'm really excited to be joining Rangers. This is a massive club with a fantastic history, passionate supporters and high ambitions, so it's a proud moment for me.
"My aim is to help the team achieve success this season, and I hope we can create some special memories together. I'm looking forward to meeting my teammates, the staff and getting started."
Yokota's journey to Ibrox
Starting his career in Tokyo, Yokota moved to Germany when he was 18 years old, first joining the academy of FSV Frankfurt and then FC Carl Zeiss Jena.
In 2021, he signed for Latvian club Valmiera and helped them win their first ever championship title in 2022 with eight goals and 10 assists that season.
Yokota spent a season in Poland with Górnik Zabrze before he joined Gent in 2024. He went on to have a successful loan spell at Hannover 96, before the deal was made permanent last season.
Manager Derek McInnes added: "We are really pleased to bring Daisuke to the club. He is a player we have been aware of for some time, and he brings qualities that we believe will really strengthen our attacking options.
"At 26, he has gained valuable experience across a number of different leagues in Europe. He is quick, direct and has the ability to make things happen in the final third.
"We are continuing to strengthen the squad in key areas, and I am looking forward to welcoming Daisuke to Rangers and working with him."
