It’s been a whirlwind week for Hamza Igamane, the 22-year-old Moroccan international, as he stands on the verge of a high-profile move from Glasgow Rangers to Lille OSC. In a transfer saga that’s unfolded with all the drama fans have come to expect from the summer window, Igamane’s journey from Ibrox to the north of France has been filled with twists, negotiations, and a touch of controversy.
Let’s rewind to last weekend, when the Scottish Premiership giants Rangers found themselves embroiled in a tense 1-1 draw against St. Mirren. The real headline, however, wasn’t the result on the pitch but the drama off it. According to Rangers manager Russell Martin, Igamane refused to come on as a substitute during the match. The reason? Reports suggest the striker was keen to avoid injury as he eyed a move away from Glasgow—specifically, a transfer to Ligue 1 with Lille.
"He will leave Glasgow, normally it’s official. We congratulate him on his transfer to Lille," Morocco boss Walid Regragu confirmed after calling up the young striker for international duty. That statement echoed the growing consensus that Igamane had played his final match for the Light Blues. For Rangers, the timing couldn’t have been more challenging. The club is in the midst of a major squad overhaul, with manager Russell Martin under pressure to trim his roster before the transfer window slams shut on September 1.
As the days ticked by, the rumors turned into reality. On August 28, 2025, Igamane was spotted in Lille, decked out in his soon-to-be new team’s colors. The Moroccan forward completed his medical examination in La Louvière, Belgium—just over an hour from Lille—before being seen walking with club staff, footage of which quickly made the rounds on social media. According to fan account Go Rijsel, "Hamza Igamane to LOSC, it’s done! Exclusively, the first images of Hamza Igamane in Lille colours. The Moroccan striker successfully passed his medical examination in La Louvière. Official announcement from the club is imminent."
The transfer, valued at £10.4 million, was triggered after Lille met the release clause in Igamane’s Rangers contract. The deal includes a three-year contract with an option for a fourth, signaling Lille’s intent to invest in their attacking options for the long term. For Igamane, the move represents a significant step up, providing him with the opportunity to test his mettle in one of Europe’s top leagues—a prospect he was reportedly eager to embrace from the outset.
It’s not just the player who’s eager, though. Lille’s pursuit of Igamane has been persistent, with the Moroccan international long identified as a primary target to bolster coach Bruno Genesio’s front line. The French club’s current star striker, Olivier Giroud, has started the Ligue 1 campaign in red-hot form, notching two goals in as many matches. Yet, Genesio is keen to add depth and fresh legs to his attacking arsenal, and Igamane fits the bill perfectly. As Foot Mercato reported, Lille reignited talks with Rangers on August 25, setting the wheels in motion for this week’s developments.
Still, the transfer hasn’t been without its share of intrigue. Lille manager Bruno Genesio expressed frustration over the "leaked" details swirling in the media. "I have no other information than what you already know and what has already, in quotation marks, leaked to various media outlets. I have nothing more to tell you than what you all already know," Genesio told reporters, clearly irked by the premature speculation. But with the medical completed and only final administrative details remaining, the official announcement appears a mere formality.
Back in Glasgow, the fallout from Igamane’s impending departure has been swift and far-reaching. The striker’s refusal to play against St. Mirren—citing injury—effectively ended his Rangers career, and the club wasted no time lining up a replacement. According to journalist Nil Solà, Rangers are finalizing a deal for Bojan Miovski from Girona. The North Macedonian international, who previously starred for Aberdeen, is reportedly already en route to Scotland, with a transfer fee set at €3 million (about £2.6 million), potentially rising to €4.9 million (around £4.2 million).
Miovski’s arrival is seen as a strategic move to fill the void left by Igamane. The stats tell an intriguing story: Igamane scored 16 goals in 49 appearances for Rangers last season, including four in the Europa League. Miovski, meanwhile, netted 44 goals in 98 appearances for Aberdeen before his move to Girona. The two strikers offer different strengths. Igamane is more of a creative number nine, boasting a higher rate of goal and shot-creating actions, while Miovski is a classic penalty box poacher, taking nearly 20% of his touches in the opposition’s area and consistently finding the target.
The impending transfer marks a remarkable turnaround for Igamane, who joined Rangers from AS FAR just a year ago for £1.7 million. Now, with a £10.4 million move to Lille, Rangers are set to make a tidy profit—but the club’s supporters will be watching closely to see if Miovski can replicate or even surpass Igamane’s impact at Ibrox.
As for Lille, the timing couldn’t be better. The Dogues are gearing up for a crucial Ligue 1 clash against Lorient on August 30, and the addition of Igamane could provide a timely boost to their attacking ranks. With the transfer window closing soon, all eyes are on the official announcement, which is expected within 24 hours of Igamane’s successful medical.
For now, both clubs find themselves at pivotal crossroads. Lille are set to unveil a promising new striker, while Rangers embark on the next chapter of their squad rebuild. The Hamza Igamane saga has delivered plenty of drama, but as the dust settles, the focus shifts to what comes next—both in France and in Scotland. Football fans won’t have to wait long to see how these bold moves play out on the pitch.
