Rangers have finalized the acquisition of winger Daisuke Yokota from Hannover 96. The 26-year-old Japanese player has signed a three-year contract with an option for an additional year, moving to Ibrox for an initial fee of £2.75m plus add-ons.
Yokota, who scored five goals and provided four assists in the German second division last season, has been included in Rangers' Europa League squad ahead of their third-round qualifier against Jagiellonia Białystok. This transfer marks Rangers' ninth summer signing, following a series of other key acquisitions. Upon joining the club, Yokota expressed his excitement, stating, "I'm thrilled to be joining Rangers, a club with a rich history, passionate fans, and high ambitions.
My goal is to contribute to the team's success and create special memories together." Yokota began his career in Tokyo before moving to Germany at the age of 18, where he joined the academies of FSV Frankfurt and FC Carl Zeiss Jena. In 2021, he signed with Latvian club Valmiera, helping them secure their first championship title in 2022 with eight goals and 10 assists. After a stint in Poland with Górnik Zabrze, Yokota joined Gent in 2024 and had a successful loan spell at Hannover 96 before making the move permanent last season.
Manager Derek McInnes welcomed Yokota, saying, "We're pleased to bring Daisuke on board. He's a player we've been tracking for some time, and his qualities will significantly enhance our attacking capabilities. With his experience across various European leagues, he brings a unique set of skills, including speed, directness, and the ability to make a significant impact in the final third."