Godwin ObajeThelo Aasgaard Edges Closer to Ibrox Switch as Rangers Eye More Summer Signings
Rangers are closing in on the £3 million signing of Luton Town’s Thelo Aasgaard, with the Norwegian midfielder expected to finalise his move to Ibrox within the next 24 hours.
Record Sport understands the 22-year-old completed part of his medical down south on Friday before travelling north to Glasgow to wrap up the formalities. If all goes to plan, he could be unveiled to the home support as early as Sunday when Russell Martin’s side host Club Brugge in their first pre-season friendly.
Aasgaard’s arrival will mark Martin’s fourth signing of what’s shaping up to be a busy summer at Rangers. The former Swansea boss, who’s been tasked with revamping the squad for a serious tilt at Celtic’s domestic dominance, has already brought in Max Aarons, Joe Rothwell and Emmanuel Fernandez.
Speaking earlier this week, a source close to the deal said, “Russell wants his key pieces in place before the friendlies really kick off. Thelo’s exactly the kind of technical, forward-thinking player he’s been after. He sees him playing a big part straight away.”
The initial fee for Aasgaard sits at around £3 million but could climb closer to £4 million if certain performance-related clauses are met. It’s a significant investment for a player who only joined Luton a year ago from Wigan but quickly caught the eye with his intelligent link-up play and ability to carry the ball forward from midfield.
Aasgaard also made headlines back home last year when he capped his Norway debut with a goal. With Luton’s relegation to League One now confirmed, the Hatters were open to letting him go, paving the way for Rangers to move quickly.
Martin, meanwhile, isn’t planning to stop there. Talks are ongoing for Leicester City centre-back Conor Coady, while a loan deal for Wolves’ Burkina Faso international Nasser Djiga is said to be close. One insider told Record Sport, “Russell’s been clear he wants to raise the technical level but also the character in that dressing room. Aasgaard ticks both boxes — and there’s more to come.”
Rangers fans could get their first glimpse of their new signing on Sunday at Ibrox, where Aasgaard hopes to be introduced to the crowd before or during the game against the Belgians.
Sporting director Kevin Thelwell is said to view the young midfielder as a central figure in the club’s rebuild as they look to bridge the gap to Celtic. The Hoops have strengthened again this summer, and with the Champions League qualifiers looming, Rangers know they can’t afford another sluggish start.
Aasgaard will join a midfield already brimming with competition, but early signs suggest Martin sees him as a creative spark with the potential to unlock defences that stifled the Gers last term.
As one fan put it online, “Good to see some real ambition again — but we need this window to keep delivering. Let’s hope this is the start of something special.”
Rangers expect to have all paperwork completed this weekend, with eyes now firmly on who’s next through the door.
Godwin Obaje
