Rangers Sign Kosta Nedeljkovic on Loan from Aston Villa

Rangers have landed right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic from Aston Villa on a season-long loan, with a built-in £4m obligation to buy that will kick in depending on how many games he plays.

The 20-year-old Serbian arrives at Ibrox after Rangers beat off rival interest, helped by direct talks with manager Derek McInnes and a familiar face in the dressing room – international team-mate Vanja Dragojevic, who joined earlier in the summer.

A young full-back with big-club miles

Nedeljkovic only joined Aston Villa in January 2024 from Red Star Belgrade, but his route to Glasgow has already taken in some heavyweight stops. He made 10 appearances for Villa and previously spent a season and a half on loan at RB Leipzig, picking up experience in two of Europe’s toughest leagues.

Now he steps into a club where expectations are non-negotiable.

“I am very excited, Rangers is such a big club, a big family and I am excited to join and help the team have success together,” he said after the move was confirmed.

“For me, it was an easy decision after meeting with the coach, I only wanted Rangers. It is a big opportunity and a big responsibility. I always try to be positive and work hard so I am ready to help the team.”

McInnes gets his man

Derek McInnes has been busy reshaping his squad and sees Nedeljkovic as a key part of that rebuild.

“Kosta is a talented young player who we are really pleased to bring to the club,” the Rangers manager said.

“He has already gained some valuable experience at a high level in England and Germany, as well as representing Serbia internationally. Kosta is an athletic and energetic full-back who is keen to get forward, but he also has a real desire to defend and compete and he will further strengthen a key area for us.

“I look forward to welcoming Kosta to Rangers, and working with him moving forward.”

Nedeljkovic becomes Rangers’ 11th signing of a hectic summer, and the recruitment drive is not finished yet. Ibrox chiefs are still pushing for a new striker and a winger before the Scottish window closes on September 3, with Portland Timbers’ Kevin Kelsy and Brighton’s Amario Cozier-Duberry among the players under consideration.

The right-back arrives with a clear pathway: play, convince, and trigger that £4m clause. How quickly he settles in Glasgow could shape not only his own future, but the final look of McInnes’ evolving Rangers side.