Rangers have confirmed that Rabbi Matondo will join Bundesliga 2 side Hannover 96 until the end of the season.
The former FC Schalke winger returns to German football two-and-a-half years after moving to Rangers in a £3m deal back in the summer of 2022.
Rangers have released a statement confirming that Rabbi Matondo has left the club and the Ibrox side have also confirmed that there is a purchase option attached to the deal.
Rangers losing ‘exceptional’ player in Rabbi Matondo
News of Hannover interest in Rabbi Matondo broke this morning in Germany when Bild uploaded a picture of the winger in a hotel in the city.
Since then the story has snowballed with Rangers finally getting the highly-paid winger off the club’s wage bill after a move to Coventry City broke down.
Hannover 96 claim they are delighted to have held off interest from other clubs to sign Rabbi Matondo.
The club’s sporting director Marcus Mann has also waxed lyrical about the player’s ’exceptional’ qualities following the announcement.
“Rabbi has received an excellent football education, took his first steps in professional football at a very young age and has steadily developed himself and his game over the course of his career,” Mann told the Hannover 96 website.
”He brings skills that will give our squad more variability and depth. His speed and acceleration are certainly exceptional.
“He also stands out for his dribbling, he has a good drive towards goal and can also be dangerous from a distance. He is a totally positive guy who will also fit in well and quickly on a personal level.
“In our discussions together, he was very interested and open to our club, our goals and our idea of playing football.
“We are happy that he has chosen 96 and are convinced that he can give our offensive game additional impetus.”
Senegal star sold Matondo on Hannover move
Rabbi Matondo has also been speaking to Hannover 96 after the transfer and claims Senegalese defender Salif Sane helped sell him on the club.
Matondo and Sane played with each other during the Rangers winger’s time at Schalke 04 and Rabbi admits conversations with the defender were a key factor in the transfer.
Sane had spent five years with Hannover before moving to Schalke in 2018.
“During my time at Schalke, I had a lot of contact with Salif Sané, who told me a lot and only positive things about Hannover 96,” Matondo explained.
”So I already knew a lot about the club before the first conversation and, while we were talking, I had the feeling that 96 was a great fit.
“It’s a big club with an exciting team and really good conditions – just looking at the stadium. I’m really looking forward to playing here.
“I’m very motivated to do my part to ensure that we have a really successful second half of the season and are in the race for the top spots until the end.”
