Rangers complete signing of Partizan captain Vanja Dragojevic

Rangers have completed the signing of Serbia midfielder Vanja Dragojevic from Partizan Belgrade, with the 20-year-old putting pen to paper on a four-year contract that includes the option of a further year.

The move makes Dragojevic Rangers’ seventh addition of the summer window. While the BBC reported the fee as undisclosed, the Daily Record put the figure at around £4.6million, with the deal said to include a 10 per cent sell-on clause for Partizan.

A young leader with Eternal Derby experience

Capped twice by Serbia, Dragojevic was handed the captaincy at Partizan while still a teenager, an unusual honour at one of Serbian football’s biggest clubs. He made 41 appearances last season, scoring four goals and adding four assists while operating mainly as a defensive midfielder as Partizan finished third in the Serbian SuperLiga.

His experience includes two appearances in the fiercely contested “Eternal Derby” against Red Star Belgrade, one of European football’s most heated rivalries. He also featured for Partizan in their Conference League qualifying exit last summer, when the Serbian side won 3-2 away at Hibernian’s Easter Road despite finishing with ten men, only to go out 4-3 on aggregate after extra time.

Dragojevic came through Partizan’s youth system after joining in 2021, turned professional two years later, and had a loan spell at third-tier Teleoptik before making his senior debut for Partizan in March last year. He quickly established himself as a first-team regular and was rewarded with the captain’s armband last season.

McInnes hails ‘huge potential’

Rangers manager Derek McInnes said he was delighted to land a player he believes already carries the leadership qualities to thrive at Ibrox. “We are really excited to bring Vanja on board,” McInnes said. “He’s got huge potential, really exciting attributes, and boasts the character to play in this environment.”

“To captain a club the size of FK Partizan at such a young age tells you everything you need to know about the respect he commands and the leadership qualities he already possesses. I believe he will add a lot to our group, and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead.”

Dragojevic said he had been aware of Rangers’ interest for some time and was keen to make the move north. “It feels amazing, and I’m really happy and proud to be part of such a big club like Rangers,” he said. “It’s a big opportunity and I can’t wait to get started. I first heard [the interest] three months ago, and when I heard it I already knew it was very interesting to me because I think the winning mentality that Rangers have is compatible with my mentality.”

First taste of Ibrox this weekend

Rangers supporters could get their first glimpse of the new signing sooner rather than later, with the club due to host West Ham United at Ibrox in a pre-season friendly this weekend as part of their preparations ahead of the new campaign.

The capture continues an active summer of recruitment for McInnes as he looks to reshape his squad, with Dragojevic’s arrival adding both depth and a young leader in central midfield for the Light Blues.

Read more: Rangers appeal McInnes touchline ban over Celtic penalty remarks

Sources

• dailymail.com
• BBC Sport
• Daily Record

This is an independent report written from the facts across the sources named above.