Rangers Sign Japanese Winger Yokota in Summer Transfer
Rangers have signed Japanese winger Daisuke Yokota in a summer transfer, bolstering their attacking options. Yokota joins the Ibrox side on a three-year deal with the option of an additional year.
What Happened?
Yokota, 26, has joined Rangers from Hannover, where he spent the previous season scoring five goals and providing four assists in the German second tier. He moved to Germany as a teenager and spent time with FSV Frankfurt and Carl Zeiss Jena before stints in Latvia with Valmiera and in Poland with Gornik Zabrze. A move to Belgian side Gent followed in 2024, but Yokota was unable to establish himself in the first team and was loaned to Kaiserslautern and Hannover.
Why It Matters for Rangers
The signing of Yokota is a significant boost to Rangers' attacking options, with manager Derek McInnes stating that the player brings qualities that will strengthen the squad. Yokota's experience in different leagues across Europe will also be valuable to the team.
What Comes Next?
Rangers are continuing to strengthen their squad in key areas, with Yokota set to be available for selection once international clearance and visa are obtained. The deal is subject to these clearances, and it remains to be seen whether Yokota will be available for Thursday's Europa League third qualifying round tie first leg with Jagiellonia Bialystok in Poland.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 2nd in Premiership, 69 pts, 19W-12D-2L from 33 games, recent form WLLLL. Goals this season: 66 scored, 31 conceded (+35 goal difference). Title race: 1 point behind leaders Heart Of Midlothian. Last result: Falkirk 2-5 Rangers (2026-05-16). Recent form (last 5): 2W-0D-3L (WWLLL, most recent first); on a 2-game winning run.
