Rangers have announced the pre-contract signing of Norwich City star Kieran Dowell, with Ibrox manager Michael Beale heralding the midfielder’s Premier League pedigree.
Kieran Dowell, 25, becomes the first signing of what promises to be a major transfer window at Ibrox, signing a three-year deal to join up with the Gers from July 1st.
The midfielder is the club’s third signing under Michael Beale, the Rangers manager having moved for Dowell’s ex-Norwich teammate Todd Cantwell and Belgian U21 international Nico Raskin in January.
Gers add “Premier League” pedigree
Announced ahead of the clash with Hearts, Rangers boss Michael Beale praised the midfielder and pointed to Kieran Dowell’s experience in the English top flight as well as his relationship with existing Gers stars.
Kieran Dowell was with Cantwell at the Canaries, while he also played with John Lundstram during his time with Everton and with Tom Lawrence while on loan at Derby County.
“I am delighted to welcome Kieran to Rangers,” Beale told the official Rangers website.
“He already has great experience in his career, with a number of Premier League appearances, and he is a player we feel will fit well into our squad and our style of football.
“I have seen him develop as a young player through the Everton Academy and also through the England junior and under-21 team. He is a good fit for our squad and has already been a teammate of Tom Lawrence, John Lundstrum and Todd Cantwell in previous clubs.
“It is fantastic, as a club, to be able to complete our first signing ahead of the summer break and I am excited to see what the future holds for Kieran at Rangers.”
Kieran Dowell kickstarts Michael Beale’s summer
A deal for Dowell had been expected to be announced as Rangers played Hearts, with Beale alluding to this following the win over Hibs.
Rangers are also close to other signing announcements, with Chelsea talent Dujon Sterling reportedly turning down a Stamford Bridge contract renewal and an offer from loan club Stoke City to sign on at Ibrox.
Beale has also claimed that the club are about 10 days away from announcing a new goalkeeper – believed to be Crystal Palace stopper Jack Butland – with the season ticking down.
Throw Cantwell into the mix and – Sterling aside – suddenly there is a decent mix of Premier League experience coming into the Rangers team ahead of the new campaign.
These guys will form the foundation of the club’s transfer business and, given their pre-contract nature, they will surely allow the side to focus their bigger investment in other areas of the squad.