Ridvan Yilmaz: Rangers sign Turkey defender from Besiktas
- Published
Yilmaz was part of Turkey's Euro 2020 squad last summer
Rangers have signed Turkey left-back Ridvan Yilmaz on a five-year deal from Besiktas for an initial fee of £3.4m that could rise to £5.3m with add-ons.
The 21-year-old played 72 times for Besiktas after coming through the youth ranks and has six caps for his country.
"I have heard so much about the Rangers supporters and cannot wait to play in front of them," said Yilmaz.
"I'm delighted to be joining a club the size of Rangers and am really looking forward to meeting my new team-mates."
Yilmaz, who won the 2020-21 Super Lig with Besiktas, will help fill the void created by the departure of the versatile Calvin Bassey, who was sold to Ajax for £19.6m last week.
Centre-back Ben Davies has also arrived from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee while Scotland central defender John Souttar joined from Hearts.
Attacking full-back Yilmaz, who was contracted to Besiktas until next June, was part of the side that finished sixth in the Turkish league last season.
"This is a club who have shown they can compete against some of the best teams in Europe and I am really excited by the challenges we have ahead of us," added Yilmaz, who was part of Turkey's Euro 2020 squad last summer.
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst believes the mentality Yilmaz has shown at Besiktas will help ensure the defender is a success at Ibrox.
"I am really pleased to have added Ridvan to our squad and I believe he will bring a lot of quality to the club," said the Dutchman.
"I have been really impressed with his development in a really demanding, winning environment at Besiktas over the last few seasons.
"I am looking forward to welcoming him to training in the coming days and to seeing him in action for the first time."
Meanwhile Van Bronckhorst has also confirmed reports that 30-year-old right-back James Tavernier has agreed a contract extension beyond the end of his current deal, which ends in summer 2024 - although the specific details are yet to be announced.
It follows an extension agreed earlier this summer with centre-half Connor Goldson.
"We signed a lot of new players this season, but we also know it is key to extend players who are in the core group," Van Bronckhorst added. "Goldson just signed a new contract and 'Tav' as well at the moment, so that's very good for the mix we have."
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