Olwethu Makhanya joins Rangers from MLS in £3m deal
Olwethu Makhanya has joined Rangers from Philadelphia Union in a deal worth around £3m, becoming the Glasgow club's eighth summer signing. The 22-year-old South Africa centre-back signed a four-year contract with the option of a further year at Ibrox after 53 MLS appearances.
Key Takeaways
- Olwethu Makhanya joins Rangers from Philadelphia Union for around £3m.
- The 22-year-old centre-back signed a four-year deal with a further 12-month option.
- He is Rangers' eighth summer signing under manager Derek McInnes.
- Makhanya was in South Africa's 2026 World Cup squad but did not play.
Who is Olwethu Makhanya and why did Rangers sign him?
Olwethu Makhanya is a 22-year-old centre-back who broke into Philadelphia Union's first team last year and made 53 appearances in Major League Soccer. He started his career with Stellenbosch in South Africa before moving to the United States.
According to BBC Sport, Rangers boss Derek McInnes highlighted the defender's athleticism and potential ahead of the Premiership opener, saying he has attributes that can cope with Scottish football after arriving from MLS.
Sky Sports reported that McInnes said Rangers had watched Makhanya closely and believe he is a strong, physical and confident defender who can make a real impact while continuing to develop his game.
Yahoo Sports UK added that Makhanya debuted for South Africa in May and was then included in the national World Cup squad.
What did Makhanya say about joining Rangers?
Speaking after completing the transfer, Makhanya said he could not explain how he was feeling and called the move a big honour and a huge blessing. He said he cannot wait to get started at a club with so much history.
"For me, it has always been a dream to play football in Europe, ever since I was a kid, so to be here is a dream come true," he said.
BBC Sport noted he did not play a minute at the 2026 finals, but his club form earned the call-up. That profile — young, athletic, and already tested in different environments — is what McInnes cited as part of the appeal.
How does this fit Rangers' busy summer window?
Makhanya follows Vanja Dragojevic, Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin, Ben Godfrey, Ross McCrorie, Dan Neil and Ivor Pandur as Rangers' eighth arrival of the summer. The Ibrox side open their Scottish Premiership campaign away to Dundee United on Friday, 31 July.
Sky Sports also reported Rangers are still hunting an attacking option for more creativity and may add further defensive cover, with John Souttar among players who could leave. For related market and transfer alerts, browse our Fintech & Crypto Alerts hub.