It’s been an electrifying summer at Ibrox as Rangers, one of Scotland’s most storied football clubs, have thrown themselves into the transfer market with a vigor that’s got fans talking and rivals watching closely. As of August 18, 2025, the Glasgow giants have unveiled a remarkable tenth signing of the window, welcoming 19-year-old fullback Jayden Meghoma on loan from Brentford, pending international clearance. Meghoma’s arrival not only boosts the defensive ranks but also adds another layer to the club’s growing Nigerian connection, following hot on the heels of centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez, who joined from Peterborough United earlier this summer.
Meghoma’s journey to Ibrox is a testament to his potential and ambition. Raised in England and progressing through the youth systems at Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton, he signed his first professional deal with the Saints in 2023. His talent was evident early, and after a switch to Brentford, he made his Premier League debut against Chelsea in December 2024. Last season, he gained valuable experience during a loan spell at Preston North End, clocking up 14 appearances in all competitions, including 12 in the Championship. Now, as he steps onto the Scottish stage, Meghoma is eager to make his mark with the Light Blues.
There’s more to Meghoma than his club credentials. Eligible to represent Nigeria at senior level, despite being capped by England from U15 through U19, the young defender has openly discussed his heritage and international aspirations. In a candid moment with Brentford’s official website earlier this year, Meghoma shared, “I’ve grown up in England my whole life. My dad is Nigerian and that is an important part in my life as well. Nigeria are doing quite well, [playing for them] is a consideration because you never know what happens in football. It’s a decision that might come later on in life, but for me right now in the youth teams, England is the best choice.”
His enthusiasm for joining Rangers was unmistakable as he told club media, “I am very excited to be here, it is a fantastic club, and I know a lot about the rich history of Rangers. When the deal was presented to me, I thought straight away that it would be a fantastic opportunity for myself and my family. The main thing for me is getting results. Rangers is a big club, and I am ready, I am hungry and excited to get going.” Those words will surely resonate with supporters hungry for success after a somewhat shaky start to the Scottish Premiership campaign.
Indeed, the pressure is already mounting on manager Russell Martin, who, despite the influx of new faces, has seen his side stumble out of the blocks with back-to-back draws in their opening two league matches. The club’s ambitious recruitment drive, powered in part by the investment and vision of 49ers Enterprises, aims to address exactly that. With ten new signings already in the door—including permanent additions like Oscar Cortes from Lens for £4.5 million and Oliver Antman from Go Ahead Eagles for £3.8 million—the squad is being reshaped on the fly.
The club’s transfer activity has been a blend of experience and youth, with deals such as Thelo Aasgaard from Luton Town (£3.4 million), Djeidi Gassama from Sheffield Wednesday (£2 million), and Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth (£397,000) complementing loan moves for talents like Mikey Moore (Tottenham), Nasser Djiga (Wolves), Max Aarons (Bournemouth), and now Meghoma from Brentford. Lyall Cameron’s arrival from Dundee FC adds further depth, though his transfer fee remains undisclosed.
Yet, despite the flurry of arrivals, the Rangers hierarchy and manager Martin are not done. According to reports from Football Insider, the club is now targeting three more signings before the window slams shut: a striker, a winger, and a centre-back. The need for attacking reinforcements is particularly acute, given the uncertainty swirling around Cyriel Dessers, the Nigerian international who has been the subject of persistent transfer speculation all summer.
Dessers, who netted an incredible 29 goals and provided seven assists for Rangers in all competitions last season, has been linked with a move to AEK Athens. The Greek outfit has so far failed to meet Rangers’ £5 million asking price, with their highest bid reported at around £3.8 million. Dessers, who was forced off with a suspected knee injury against Viktoria Plzen, has since been cleared of any serious damage—a relief for both player and club. His future, however, remains up in the air, with manager Martin hoping to retain either Dessers or fellow forward Hamza Igamane, who is also attracting interest from Lille and Feyenoord.
“Everything remains open,” reported Giannis Chorianopoulos on August 17, underlining the fluidity of the situation with Dessers. The striker himself has been a talismanic figure since arriving from Cremonese in 2023, amassing 52 goals and 17 assists in 115 appearances for Rangers. Should he depart, the club would not only lose a proven goalscorer but also free up funds and wages to pursue further attacking options. The likes of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Dor Turgeman have been mooted as potential replacements, with the club’s recruitment team working overtime to ensure Martin has the tools needed to mount a credible title challenge.
Meanwhile, new signings like Antman and Gassama have already begun to make an impression out wide, while Moore and Aasgaard add further dynamism to the squad. The question remains: can Martin’s revamped team gel quickly enough to keep pace with rivals Celtic and a resurgent Hearts, who have looked sharper in the early going?
Off the pitch, the involvement of 49ers Enterprises continues to shape the club’s strategy, with the American investors backing the manager’s vision and pushing for a squad capable of competing both domestically and in Europe. Their influence is clear in the scale and ambition of the summer’s transfer activity, and supporters will be watching closely as the final weeks of the window unfold.
As it stands, Rangers’ summer overhaul is far from complete. With new faces bedding in, old favorites potentially on the move, and the promise of further signings, the next chapter at Ibrox is set to be as unpredictable as it is exciting. The club’s fortunes this season may well hinge on how successfully Martin and his team navigate this crucial period of transition.
For now, all eyes are on the pitch and the boardroom as the transfer saga continues. Rangers’ quest for silverware and supremacy is very much alive—and the coming weeks promise plenty more drama for the blue half of Glasgow.
