“That was a shock” – Manager says transfer to Rangers has surprised him

“That was a shock” – Manager says transfer to Rangers has surprised him

Rangers wrapped up the winter transfer window by completing the signing of highly rated striker Ryan Naderi from German side FC Hansa Rostock, following an intense and dramatic deadline-day pursuit.

The move came after sustained efforts from Danny Röhl’s Rangers team, who were determined to bring the 22-year-old forward to Ibrox despite strong resistance from the third-tier German club.

The Glasgow outfit had identified Naderi as a key attacking target and moved early to test Hansa Rostock’s resolve with an opening bid of €3 million.

That initial offer was swiftly rejected, with the German club making it clear they were reluctant to part with one of their most important players midway through the season.

Rangers responded by returning with an improved proposal worth €3.6 million, but that too was turned down on the Friday before the transfer deadline, suggesting the deal was heading towards collapse.

Adding to the sense that Naderi would remain in Germany until the summer, the striker featured for the full 90 minutes in Hansa Rostock’s 3-0 defeat to FC Ingolstadt on Saturday. At that point, the expectation among observers — and even within the club — was that the forward would see out the remainder of the campaign with Rostock. Rangers, however, were not prepared to abandon their pursuit so easily.

Initially, the Ibrox side had explored the possibility of signing Naderi and allowing him to remain on loan in Germany for the rest of the season.

Hansa Rostock firmly rejected that proposal, unwilling to lose control of the player while still needing his services. Despite this setback, Rangers continued negotiations behind the scenes, determined to find a breakthrough.

According to Ostsee-Zeitung, the situation took a dramatic turn on Sunday morning, just a day after the Ingolstadt match.

Hansa Rostock sporting director Amir Shapourzadeh reportedly contacted head coach Daniel Brinkmann via WhatsApp to update him on developments.

What followed was a flurry of discussions, including numerous phone calls and an extensive Zoom conference involving key decision-makers at the club.

Although Rostock had previously taken a hard line stance, the club ultimately changed their position and agreed to sell Naderi.

This sudden shift came as a major surprise to Brinkmann, who admitted he was taken aback by the decision to let such an influential player leave at a crucial stage of the season.

“That was a shock at first,” Brinkmann explained. “We lost a player who was really important for us. From a coach’s perspective, it’s difficult because you’re judged on results and, naturally, you want to work with the strongest possible squad.”

While the sporting impact of Naderi’s departure was significant, the financial upside proved impossible for Hansa Rostock to ignore.

The deal with Rangers saw the German club secure a record transfer fee, providing a substantial boost to their finances. This aspect of the move ultimately played a decisive role in convincing the club’s hierarchy to sanction the sale.

Ostsee-Zeitung also report that Shapourzadeh, along with CEO Ronald Maul and two representatives from the supervisory board, held a meeting with the squad to explain the reasoning behind the decision.

The leadership reportedly outlined the financial benefits of the transfer and the long-term considerations that influenced their change of heart.

For Rangers, the successful capture of Naderi represents a major statement of intent.

Despite facing repeated rejections and late complications, the club’s persistence paid off, allowing Röhl’s side to land a young striker they clearly believe can make a significant impact at Ibrox.

The move underlined Rangers’ willingness to push hard in the market and negotiate until the very end to secure their top targets.

As Naderi begins the next chapter of his career in Glasgow, the transfer will be remembered not just for its timing, but for the intense behind-the-scenes negotiations that ultimately delivered Rangers their man.