Ianis Hagi has waved goodbye to Rangers, but Rangers fans will be praying the club is waving goodbye to years of woeful transfer business.
The Romanian playmaker, 26, was a popular player at Ibrox but after a tumultuous final season in Glasgow, Rangers have announced the player’s departure.
Ianis Hagi is one of six Rangers players who’ve been released, with Tom Lawrence and Leon Balogun also moving on at the end of their contracts. Vaclav Cerny, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Rafael Fernandes have returned to their parent clubs.
But it’s Hagi’s departure which could sting the most for Rangers fans, who’ve got used to their most high-profile and valuable players leaving for nothing.
Ianis Hagi makes it £17m worth of Rangers stars who left for nothing
Rangers initially signed Ianis Hagi on loan from Genk in the January window of 2020 and made the deal permanent come the end of the season.
Reports have suggested Rangers forked out £3m for Hagi, with the attacking midfielder’s initially promising Gers career cut short through a devastating cruciate ligament injury.
Since then Hagi has struggled to have a similar impact in Glasgow and the midfielder’s exit is the latest in a long line of expensive players for whom Rangers returned the square root of nothing.
Rangers paid a combined £11m to sign Ryan Kent (£7m), Alfredo Morelos (£1m) and Filip Helander (£3m). All three left for nothing in the summer of 2023.
It was a similar story at the start of this season, when Rangers failed to recoup a penny for one-time assets Borna Barisic (£1.5m), John Lundstram (free) and Kemar Roofe (£4.5m).
That’s £17m worth of signings who were not moved on at the right time, costing the club dearly, although even those who did register a fee barely made an impact on the club’s transfer coffers.
Rangers shipped five players out for a combined £800k this summer, with Connor Goldson, Sam Lammers, Todd Cantwell, Scott Wright and Robby McCrorie all waving goodbye for meagre fees.
These figures will have to change going forward, and whilst there will be some tears shed over the exit of Ianis Hagi, he must be the final expensive signing to walk out the door on a free.
Ianis Hagi pays tribute to ‘unmatched’ Rangers fans
Ianis Hagi has paid tribute to the Rangers fans after being released at Ibrox.
The Romanian playmaker had some big moments in Light Blue, stemming all the way back to that heroic Europa League double against Braga in 2020, and the midfielder doffed his cap to the Rangers legions.
”My time at Rangers has come to an end and I want to thank everyone who made it unforgettable,” reads Hagi’s statement.
“To the staff, players and everyone behind the scenes – thank you for your support and professionalism.
“To the fans – your passion and loyalty are unmatched. It was an honour to represent this club and play in front of you.
“Wishing Rangers all the best for the future.”
