Ben Godfrey has joined Rangers on a season-long loan from Atalanta, with the Scottish club holding an option to make the move permanent next summer. It is a quick piece of business and an obvious statement of intent from Derek McInnes, who is pitching the deal around experience, athleticism and personality as much as simple cover at the back.
Godfrey becomes Rangers' third summer signing after Lawrence Shankland and Ross McCrorie. His route to Ibrox has been busy too, moving to Atalanta from Everton in summer 2024 before loan spells at Ipswich, Sheffield United and Brondby.
"I am buzzing, I am really happy to be here," Godfrey told skysports.com. "I know the size of the club, so it is a massive honour to be wearing the shirt this season, and I can't wait to get started. I am looking forward to meeting the boys and hopefully helping this club achieve what it deserves, which is silverware and exciting times."
What Rangers think they are getting
McInnes has been clear on the profile. He is not describing Godfrey as a project or a flier. He is describing him as someone who has already operated at a level Rangers expect from key signings.
"Ben is a player who has competed at a very high level throughout his career," McInnes said. "He's played in the Premier League, been involved with England, and brings a lot of experience with him. He's a strong, athletic defender with good qualities both on and off the ball, and we believe he can add a lot to the squad. We're pleased to get him in, and I'm looking forward to working with him in the season ahead."
That sales pitch makes sense when you look at where Rangers are. They finished third with 72 points and lost six of 38 league games. They also lost four of their last five league matches, so the need for fresh authority in the squad is not hard to spot.
Godfrey's two England caps are part of that argument. So is the fact Rangers are talking up his off-ball and off-pitch value at the same time. For a side trying to tighten up and reset quickly, this looks like a signing built around trust and reliability rather than resale talk.
The leadership angle is not accidental
The strongest outside endorsement comes from Steve Cooper, who managed Godfrey at Brondby and spoke in detail about his effect away from matches.
"Ben has been brilliant for us both on and especially off the pitch. He has become a leader in the dressing room and he has become very popular," Cooper told the Daily Record. "He has come with a fantastic attitude with a lot of humility."
Cooper went further than the usual loan-player courtesy. He said Godfrey "has been a big influence in the dressing room and helps the young players in training" and added that he had shown leadership in different situations. That is exactly the kind of reference Rangers will have wanted before committing to a deal with an option attached.
It also helps explain why this move is being framed differently from a standard loan. Rangers are not only borrowing a defender for a year. They are giving themselves a look at whether he can become part of the squad longer term.
The Atalanta detail and what comes next
There is still some uncertainty around parts of Godfrey's recent record in Italy. One report from Football Italia said he made only five competitive appearances for Atalanta, totalling 93 minutes, but that figure is not backed up elsewhere here. Another report from the Daily Record said he is contracted there until 2028, though that has not been independently verified either.
What is confirmed is the structure of the Rangers move and the logic behind it. Godfrey arrives on loan, with a buy option next summer, after a season in which Rangers finished third and clearly needed more certainty in the squad.
This is McInnes' first defensive addition of the summer, but it already tells you plenty about the type of rebuild he wants. Rangers have gone for a player with senior-level experience, two England caps and strong backing on his dressing-room impact. The next step is simple enough: Godfrey reports in as Rangers' third summer signing, with the option decision pushed to next summer.
FAQ
Why have Rangers signed Ben Godfrey on loan from Atalanta?
Rangers have brought in Ben Godfrey on a season-long loan from Atalanta with an option to make the move permanent next summer. The signing is being framed around experience and leadership as much as defensive depth, with Derek McInnes pointing to his Premier League background and England involvement.
Is Ben Godfrey joining Rangers permanently or on loan?
Godfrey has joined Rangers on a season-long loan from Atalanta. The deal includes an option for Rangers to make it permanent next summer, but it is not a permanent transfer now.
What does Ben Godfrey add to the Rangers squad?
The case for the move is straightforward: Rangers are adding a defender with Premier League experience, two England caps and a recent reputation for dressing-room leadership. Steve Cooper described him as a leader and a big influence on younger players during his time at Brondby.
How many signings have Rangers made this summer after Ben Godfrey arrived?
Godfrey is Rangers' third summer signing. He follows Lawrence Shankland and Ross McCrorie as the club reshapes the squad ahead of the new season.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →