Most expensive Rangers sales of all time

Glasgow Rangers’ success in the transfer market has been limited in recent years, with few players arriving at Ibrox able to make a real long-term impression at the club.

This is because Gers managers such as Michael Beale and Giovanni van Bronckhorst were given carte blanche over the budget. Van Bronckhorst may have sold Calvin Bassey and Nathan Patterson for record sums within months of each other, but those are the only two success stories in recent years.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the record transfer sales in Rangers history.

10

Arib jobs

Rangers to Southampton (£6m)

Steven Gerrard signed Joe Aribo for just £300,000 due to cross-border transfer rules – and it would turn into a bargain.

He made 49 appearances in his first season, recording 17 goals in the process, before winning his first trophy for the club in the 2020/21 campaign.

The Light Blues won their 55th league title – their first in a decade – going unbeaten that season, with Aribo shining in Gerrard’s system. Six goals and four assists in 26 league appearances proved crucial for the club as he shone alongside Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi.

Its final season saw Aribo move closer to immortality. The Nigerian scored the opening goal of the Europa League final, sparking scenes of delight in Sevilla, but the Gers ultimately lost the match on penalties.

Shortly after, he moved to Southampton for a fee of £6 million, which could still rise to £10 million.

9

Ripped André Flo

Rangers to Sunderland (£6.75m)

As of 2024, Tore Andre Flo remains the club’s most expensive signing, costing £12 million in November 2000. He scored on his debut against Celtic before scoring a further 12 goals before the end of the season.

The 2001/02 campaign saw Flo at his best, scoring 25 goals in all competitions and living up to his huge amount.

His future looked bright, but when Sunderland offered a £6.75 million offer in August 2002, Alex McLeish accepted the offer and he left for the Premier League.

8

Barry Ferguson

Rangers to Blackburn (£7.5m)

Barry Ferguson can boast of being one of the most successful captains in the club’s history, helping the team to a treble in the 2002/03 campaign, also winning a handful of other honors and leading the team to the 2008 UEFA Cup final.

Not only one of Rangers’ best players, Ferguson was arguably one of the UK’s best midfielders in his prime. His form during that treble season saw Blackburn Rovers make a £7.5 million bid, which was duly accepted by the club amid financial problems at Ibrox.

18 months later, Ferguson was back at Rangers, where he spent another four and a half years, winning six more major honors before leaving for good in 2009.

7

Carlos Cuéllar

From Rangers to Aston Villa (£7.8m)

Walter Smith had a lot of work to do in his first summer transfer window during his second spell at Ibrox. Indeed, he made a total of 13 signings during the summer of 2007.

Carlos Cuellar was among them, having impressed Smith and his team in a UEFA Cup clash a few months previously.

The Spaniard has shown consistency at Ibrox, playing 61 games during a campaign which saw Rangers win both domestic cups and reach the UEFA Cup final. His form clearly impressed clubs down south and there was no doubt his future lay away from Glasgow.

Ahead of the 2008/09 season, Cuellar joined Aston Villa for a fee of around £7.8 million, reaping a significant profit for Smith.

6

Jean-Alain Boumsong

Rangers to Newcastle (£8m)

Midway through the 2003/04 season, Alex McLeish announced that Rangers had signed in-demand defender Jean-Alain Boumsong on a pre-contract, beating Arsenal and Inter to his signature.

It was a statement of intent and it didn’t take long for the Frenchman to settle in, as he made 26 appearances in the first half of the season with the Gers.

However, its form was already arousing interest. Graeme Souness wanted him at Newcastle and an offer of £8m was far too good to turn down, especially as he didn’t cost a penny.

His form dipped in England, failing to live up to the hype generated upon his arrival.

5

Giovanni van Bronckhorst

From Rangers to Arsenal (£8.5m)

Dick Advocaat’s Dutch revolution at Ibrox began in 1998 when he recruited many players from his homeland to strengthen his team, including youngster Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Over the next three seasons, the Dutchman would win five domestic trophies while scoring three goals in the group stages of the 2000/01 Champions League, further cementing his reputation.

In the summer of 2001, Arsene Wenger came calling and secured the defender for a fee of around £8.5 million, which was then a record sale for the Light Blues club.

4

Alan Hutton

Rangers to Tottenham (£9m)

Alan Hutton emerged through the academy to become a regular in the senior team under Alex McLeish, but it was Walter Smith who took him to the next level.

An attack-minded right-back, Hutton has been given free rein on the right side of defense under the veteran manager. He recorded five assists in the first half of the 2007/08 season as Rangers looked to regain their domestic dominance.

However, there was strong interest from English Premier League clubs in January, and it was Spurs who finally found their man, luring Hutton south for a fee of £9million, which broke the club’s record for their highest sale.

3

NAME HAZAZE

Rangers to Lille (£10.4m)

Hamza Igamane was Rangers’ major departure in 2025, and he joined French club Lille just days after refusing to replace Rangers in the second half against St Mirren.

The striker, who cost Gers around £1.7 million in 2024, was becoming a fan favorite before his departure, with his late winner at Celtic Park arguably his most iconic goal in a Rangers shirt. Yet those at Ibrox made a huge profit on the Moroccan striker.

2

Nathan Patterson

Rangers to Everton (£11.5m)

Nathan Patterson looked like Hutton’s heir apparent. Both Scottish right-backs who liked to get forward at every opportunity, the difference was that Hutton had plenty of chances, while Patterson had to wait in the wings for James Tavernier to get injured or rested to take advantage of his opportunity.

The youngster made his debut in January 2020 before playing just 27 times for the club. When Everton began to show interest with an offer of £11.5 million (potentially more, including add-ons), it was an offer the Gers simply couldn’t refuse.

So far, his time down south hasn’t exactly gone as planned, with injuries disrupting his progress. If he can get back into shape and return to the starting lineup, Patterson will have a chance to live up to his potential.

1

Calvin Bassey

Rangers to Ajax (£19.6m)

Like Aribo, Calvin Bassey was signed for peanuts due to cross-border transfer rules. Initially recruited as a talented prospect, the Nigerian made just 15 appearances in all competitions during his debut season.

The 2021/22 campaign played out very differently. An injury crisis in defense meant Bassey was partnered alongside Connor Goldson at the heart of defence, making a total of 50 appearances for the club, winning the Scottish Cup and helping the team reach the Europa League final.

Due to his performances, clubs were quick to show interest, with Ajax looking the most likely to sign him.

Indeed, an initial fee of £19.6 million was agreed between the two clubs and the transfer was the highest sale in the Light Blues’ history as Van Bronckhorst made a marvelous profit on the defender.

Bassey has since spent a year in the Netherlands before joining Fulham, where he is now impressing in the Premier League.