The LLM Podcast

August 05, 2026
Next podcast at 03:30 IST
Abhinav Ennazhiyil

Rangers Land Japanese Winger Daisuke Yokota in £2.75m Deal from Hannover

Rangers' transformative summer transfer window showed no signs of slowing down on Wednesday as the Glasgow giants clinched a deal to sign Japanese winger Daisuke Yokota from 2. Bundesliga side Hannover for a fee of £2.75m (€3.2m).

The 26-year-old becomes the ninth signing Rangers have made in their first transfer window under new manager Derek McInnes, underlining the club's ambition to reshape their squad ahead of a crucial campaign.

Daisuke Yokota poses after signing for Rangers

Yokota has signed a three-year contract with an option for a further 12 months, committing his future to Ibrox as Rangers look to mount a serious challenge both domestically and in Europe.

Rise Through German Football

Yokota has spent the last two seasons in Germany's second tier, representing Kaiserslautern in 2024-25 before moving to Hannover — initially on loan — last summer. As per the terms of that loan arrangement, he became a Hannover player on a permanent basis, but he has now swiftly moved on again, this time to Glasgow.

Last season, Yokota scored five goals and supplied four assists in 30 league appearances — 19 of which were starts — as Hannover finished fourth in the 2. Bundesliga, narrowly missing out on a place in the promotion-relegation play-off.

His dribbling ability stood out in particular. In the 2025-26 2. Bundesliga campaign, Yokota ranked third among all players for dribbles attempted (115) and joint-third for dribbles completed (54), marking him as one of the division's most dangerous wide players.

Yokota: 'A Proud Moment'

Speaking after completing his move, Yokota expressed his excitement at joining one of British football's most storied clubs.

"I'm really excited to be joining Rangers," he said. "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 team-mates, the staff and getting started."

Rangers' Season Underway

Yokota's arrival comes at a pivotal moment for Rangers, who began their Scottish Premiership season with an underwhelming 1-1 draw with Dundee United last Friday. The Glasgow giants will now turn their attention to European competition, facing Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok in the first leg of a Europa League qualification tie on Thursday.

With nine new arrivals through the door and the window still open, McInnes will be hoping Yokota's directness and flair can inject fresh impetus into a Rangers side looking to reclaim domestic dominance and make their mark on the continent.

Sources: https://www.fotmob.com/news/jt05whuyanzp1jzljnnmtfpg8-rangers-sign-japanese-winger-yokota-from-hannover