Nikola Katic seals Rangers exit as defender joins Zurich on three-year deal

Niko Katic has left Rangers on a three-year deal to Zurich, bringing a spell of mixed fortunes at Ibrox to an end.

His exit is likely to free up move funds for Giovanni van Bronckhorst in this summer transfer window. The Croatian defender joined the Light Blues in 2018 under Steven Gerrard and was a first team regular at Ibrox. But the 25-year-old would go on to struggle with injury and fitness issues, missing large chunks of the following season. Since then, it has been a tale of watching from the sidelines as the likes of Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and recently Calvin Bassey got regular game time.

The defender spent the last campaign on loan at Hadjuk Split, who decided not to take up a reported £3m option to buy, but returned to Ibrox in the summer with plans of making it back into the Rangers first team. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst himself admitted no place was certain on the Rangers team sheet, with the Light Blues having to call on James Sands to deputise in the absence of John Souttar and new recruit Ben Davies so far.

Yet Katic is now off to Zurich, with Europa League football on offer, after the Swiss side dumped Robbie Neilson's Hearts out of the torunament last week. They will face the side Rangers conquered to reach the Champions League in PSV Eindhoven – as well as Arsenal. Marinko Jurendic, head of sport at FCZ, said: "In Nikola we were able to sign a central defender with international experience who will strengthen our defence with his physical presence, his header and his great personality."

Rangers posted: "Niko leaves a Ranger with everyone at Ibrox wishing him well for his next move in his career."

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