Rangers completed a significant transfer in the dying moments of the January transfer window, when the Ibrox club announced the signing of Hansa Rostock striker Ryan Naderi in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The Ibrox club’s interest in the 22-year-old slipped under the radar but it’s understood that Rangers have tracked him closely with Danny Röhl instrumental in their decision to sign the player. Reports in Germany suggest that Naderi makes the move to the Scottish Premiership club for an initial €5.5 million, which could rise to €6m with bonuses.
After the disastrous short-lived tenure of Russell Martin, Röhl has transformed Rangers’ fortunes and they are firmly in a thrilling title-race in Scotland. Rangers have invested heavily this season under the new ownership of a US-based consortium but neither Youssef Chermiti nor Bojan Miovski have fully convinced up front. With insight from Germany, we’ve analysed the relatively unknown striker.
Who is Ryan Naderi?
Naderi progressed through the youth ranks at Dynamo Dresden before earning a move to Borussia Monchengladbach, but he failed to make the grade at the Bundesliga side. The physically imposing striker, however, has thrived at Hansa in the third-tier of German football and there’s a feeling that he could explode when he reaches his full potential. Naderi has scored eight goals and provided five assists to propel Hansa into the title race and he possesses many desirable characteristics for a modern striker.
We spoke to Kay-Ole Schönemann, Transfermarkt’s expert on the 3. Liga, to learn more about Naderi’s qualities. “Since returning from injury, he has been the reason for Hansa Rostock’s success,” said Schönemann. “He is the difference maker in the team. The question should be, what can’t he do? He’s fast, has a powerful shot, is always available for a pass, sometimes draws three or four players towards him and still manages to get through. Every move he makes in the penalty area creates danger, whether as a goalscorer or a provider.”
Naderi signing takes Rangers spending over €40m
The late move for the 22-year-old talisman was further proof of Rangers’ intent to improve their squad in the second half of the season. In total, the Ibrox club made four new signings during the January transfe window, spending no less than €13.7m. Over the course of the entire season, the Glasgow giants have spent around €43.4m on new players, which is certainly no small sum within the context of Scottish football. As we can see in the table above, which illustrated the largest spending sprees in Scottish football history, the Ibrox club’s pursuit of new players this season is now the fourth highest ever. And, remarkably, the most that Rangers have spent in a single season in 25 years.
