Skip to content
Transfer

Rangers transfer news: Kevin Kelsy and Badredine Bouanani join on Deadline Day as Nico Raskin bid rejected

Venezuelan international Kevin Kelsy has signed an initial four-year deal at Rangers; the striker joins from MLS side Portland Timbers; Badredine Bouanani has joined on loan from Stuttgart until the end of the season; Rangers made a total of 14 summer signings

Thursday 3 September 2026 18:14, UK

Kevin Kelsy and Badredine Bouanani joined Rangers on deadline day
Image: Kevin Kelsy and Badredine Bouanani joined Rangers on deadline day

Rangers have signed Kevin Kelsy from Portland Timbers in a deal worth £9m with winger Badredine Bouanani joining on loan from Stuttgart.

Kelsy has joined on an initial four-year deal with the option for a further year.

The 22-year-old, who has been capped six times by Venezuela, moved to the MLS from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk last January.

Twitter This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.
Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once

Kelsy scored 19 goals and provided five assists in 63 appearances for Portland.

Speaking after joining the club, Kelsy commented: "I've heard a lot about the club. Even when I was younger, I saw the team in Europe. I know what the club means to the fans.

"I would love to bring some joy to the fans and the club, and score goals to bring amazing moments to the team.

"I know we have to win all the games and play well, and I'll be ready for this with my teammates. I'm ready for this new chapter in my life."

Also See:

Manager Derek McInnes added: "We're really pleased to welcome Kevin to the club. He's an exciting player with a lot of attributes, and what really stood out in our conversations is how hungry he is to make an impact.

Derek McInnes' Rangers made 14 summer signings
Image: Derek McInnes' Rangers made 14 summer signings

"He'll bring real quality to an area of the pitch we have been keen to strengthen, and his arrival gives us another exciting option going forward.

"Kevin has a great attitude and a real desire to improve, and we're looking forward to seeing what he can bring at Rangers."

Bouanani was the Ibrox club's final summer addition after passing a medical.

There is an option to buy included in the loan for the 21-year-old Algerian international who moved to Germany last year from Nice and has scored two goals and provided two assists for Stuttgart.

Nico Raskin remains at Ibrox after the club rejected bids from Besiktas.

Rangers rejected bids from Besiktas for Nico Raskin
Image: Rangers rejected bids from Besiktas for Nico Raskin

The Turkish club had initially hoped to sign the midfielder on loan with an option to buy, then returned with a permanent bid, which was also dismissed after failing to meet the Ibrox side's valuation.

The 14 summer signings this summer is the same number that Rangers added 12 months ago. From those who moved to Ibrox last year, just four remain - Youssef Chermiti, Emmanuel Fernandez, Djeidi Gassama and Bojan Miovski.

Rangers upcoming fixtures

  • Motherwell (H) - Scottish Premiership - September 5
  • St Mirren (H) - Scottish Premiership - September 9
  • Celtic (H) - Scottish League Cup - September 13
  • Celtic (A) - Scottish Premiership - September 20 - live on Sky Sports
  • Kilmarnock (H) - Scottish Premiership - October 10

Around Sky

Upgrade to get all of Sky Sports, including 1500 live football games

Not got Sky? Get instant access to Sky Sports with no contract

Sky Data Layer Viewer