Rangers have completed the acquisition of Venezuela striker Kevin Kelsy from Portland Timbers and secured Algeria winger Badredine Bouanani on a season-long loan from Stuttgart, bringing their summer recruitment drive to 14 additions as the Scottish transfer window shut on Thursday.
According to reports on deadline day, manager Derek McInnes indicated the club were "very close" to finalising the Kelsy transfer the previous evening. The 22-year-old has committed to a four-year contract with the option of a fifth year at Ibrox, and the deal represents a significant investment in the club's attacking options.
Kelsy's move to Glasgow follows reports that the fee was valued at $13m (£9.5m) plus add-ons, with Portland retaining a sell-on percentage. This transfer level would make him Rangers' most expensive signing in 26 years, according to coverage of the deal. The Venezuelan has made 16 appearances for Portland this season, accumulating 10 goals and three assists as the Major League Soccer side sits 11th in the Western Conference and 17th overall.
Across his time in North America, the 6ft 4in left-footed forward has featured 63 times, scoring 19 goals and providing five assists. Before his move to Portland in January 2025 from Shakhtar Donetsk, Kelsy had helped the Timbers finish eighth in the Western Conference and 17th overall in the previous campaign. His career path has taken him through Mineros de Guayana, Boston River in Uruguay, and two title-winning seasons with Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, where he netted nine goals in 37 appearances. He also had a loan spell at Cincinnati in April 2024, scoring six times in 23 outings. Kelsy holds six international caps for Venezuela.
How does Bouanani fit into Rangers' plans?
Bouanani arrives at Ibrox on a temporary basis with an option to buy reportedly valued at €18m (£15.5m) next summer. The 21-year-old winger joined Stuttgart from Nice just over a year ago for a reported £13m but has struggled to establish himself at the Bundesliga club. He made only nine starts and 13 substitute appearances last season as Stuttgart finished fourth in the German top flight, and has not featured in the current campaign.
Bouanani's connection to Scottish football runs deeper than a simple loan move. He was part of the Nice side that suffered a 4-1 defeat to Philippe Clement's Rangers in the Europa League two years ago and also started Stuttgart's 1-0 home loss to Celtic in last season's Europa League play-off, when the Scottish champions progressed on aggregate. According to reports on deadline day, Bouanani had already travelled to Scotland and was undergoing a medical ahead of the loan move.
What is Bouanani's background?
The winger came through the youth system at Lille, the French city where he was born, before moving to Nice. He had a loan spell with Lorient and represented France at youth level before switching his international allegiance to Algeria in 2023.
How does this fit Rangers' transfer strategy?
The dual signings represent the culmination of Rangers' summer activity, which began with initial interest in Kelsy in mid-August when the club submitted a bid around £7.5m. The club persisted with their pursuit and ultimately secured the striker on significantly improved terms by the deadline. Kelsy's acquisition addresses the club's attacking needs, while Bouanani provides additional depth and creativity in wide areas with a pathway to permanent status should he impress during his loan spell.
The 14 summer additions represent a substantial overhaul of the Rangers squad, reflecting the club's ambitions for the season ahead. The window closure on Thursday evening marked the final opportunity for Scottish clubs to register new players, with both deals completed in the final hours of the transfer period.
Key Facts
- Kevin Kelsy, 22, has signed a four-year contract with an optional fifth year after joining from Portland Timbers for £9.5m plus add-ons
- Badredine Bouanani, 21, joins on a season-long loan from Stuttgart with a reported €18m (£15.5m) option to buy next summer
- The pair bring Rangers' summer signings to 14 as the Scottish transfer window closed on Thursday
- Kelsy scored 10 goals in 16 appearances for Portland this season; Bouanani made only nine starts for Stuttgart last season
- Both players have previous experience against Scottish opposition in European competition
