The Gers land their ninth summer signing as Derek McInnes bolsters his attacking options ahead of Europa League action
Rangers have wrapped up a fresh addition to their squad, confirming the signing of Japanese winger Daisuke Yokota from Bundesliga 2 side Hannover 96. It’s a deal that’s been quietly building for days — and now it’s official.
The Deal, Confirmed
Yokota has joined Rangers for an initial fee of £2.75m plus add-ons, signing a three-year contract with the option of a further 12 months. Sky Sports The move is subject to international clearance and visa requirements, standard procedure for a player arriving from outside the UK. Rangers Football Club The agreement with Hannover was struck earlier in the week, with Yokota then travelling to undergo his medical before putting pen to paper. insidefutbol
Crucially, the timing works in Rangers’ favour. The transfer was completed in time for Yokota to be registered for Thursday’s Europa League third qualifying round first leg against Jagiellonia Białystok The Scotsman — meaning McInnes could have a new attacking weapon available almost immediately.
Who Is Daisuke Yokota?
The 26-year-old began his career in Tokyo before moving to Germany at 18, initially joining the academy at FSV Frankfurt. Rangers Football Club From there, his path to Ibrox has been anything but conventional. He spent time with FC Carl Zeiss Jena before signing for Latvian club Valmiera in 2021, helping them win their first-ever league title in 2022 with eight goals and ten assists. Rangers Football Club A season in Poland with Górnik Zabrze followed, before he joined Belgian side Gent in 2024. Rangers Football Club
While registered with Gent, Yokota enjoyed a productive loan spell at Hannover 96, a move that was later made permanent. Rangers Football Club In his most recent season in Germany’s second tier, he scored five goals in 30 appearances while on loan from Gent. The Scotsman
What Rangers Are Getting
Manager Derek McInnes made no secret of his excitement over the arrival. “Daisuke is a player we have been aware of for some time, and he brings qualities that we believe will really strengthen our attacking options,” McInnes said, adding that at 26, Yokota has “gained valuable experience across a number of different leagues in Europe” and possesses the pace and directness “to make things happen in the final third.” New Kerala
That profile arrives at exactly the right moment. Yokota’s signing strengthens Rangers’ attacking options following the recent departures of Oliver Antman and Nedim Bajrami, The Scotsman giving McInnes fresh legs and width on the flanks just as continental football gets underway.
A Proud Moment for the Winger
For Yokota himself, the move represents a major step in a career that has taken him through five countries already. “I’m really excited to be joining Rangers. This is a massive club with a fantastic history, passionate supporters and high ambitions, so it’s a proud moment for me. My aim is to help the team achieve success this season, and I hope we can create some special memories together,” he said after signing. Rangers Football Club
Rangers’ Busy Summer Continues
Yokota becomes Rangers’ ninth signing of the transfer window, following the arrivals of Ivor Pandur, Vanja Dragojevic, Olwethu Makhanya, Ross McCrorie, Dan Neil, Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin and Ben Godfrey. New Kerala It’s a squad rebuild that shows real intent from Ibrox — and with European football already knocking, Yokota may not have long to wait before making his first appearance in blue and white.
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