Rangers have completed the signing of Daisuke Yokota from Hannover 96 for an initial £2.75m plus add-ons, with the winger becoming Derek McInnes' ninth arrival of the summer. Yokota has signed a three-year contract with the option of an additional 12 months, giving Rangers another attacking piece as the manager continues a fast-moving rebuild rather than a light touch refresh.
The deal itself is straightforward. Rangers wanted another direct wide player and McInnes made clear that Yokota fits that brief. The wider point is just as important: nine signings by early August tells you this squad is still being remade in a fairly aggressive way.
"We are really pleased to bring Daisuke to the club," McInnes told skysports.com. "He is a player we have been aware of for some time, and he brings qualities that we believe will really strengthen our attacking options."
McInnes' attacking rebuild
McInnes is not pretending this is a depth move for depth's sake. His second quote on Yokota gave a cleaner explanation of why Rangers moved now.
"At 26, he has gained valuable experience across a number of different leagues in Europe. He is quick, direct and has the ability to make things happen in the final third," the Rangers manager said.
That profile matters for a team still trying to sharpen its edge in the final third. Rangers finished second in the 2025 Premiership and scored 66 league goals, solid output on paper but not enough to stand still, especially with Celtic still the domestic benchmark. Signing a winger described first and foremost as quick and direct suggests McInnes wants more than control and possession from his wide players.
Yokota's own numbers from last season are decent rather than spectacular: five goals and four assists in Germany's second division. Rangers are not buying a guaranteed headline producer based on raw output alone. They are buying a 26-year-old McInnes believes can stretch games, attack defenders and add variety to an attack that clearly needed fresh options.
There is also the scale of the recruitment drive. A ninth summer signing can be read two ways. It can look like overdue repair work after a season that left Rangers in second place, or like a manager being given real freedom to reshape the squad quickly. In this case, it looks more like the second. Clubs do not get to nine additions this early unless they think significant change is needed.
Yokota's fit in the squad
Yokota arrives with a contract structure that gives Rangers flexibility. The three-year term provides stability if he settles quickly, while the extra 12 months stays in the club's hands as an option rather than a guarantee. That is sensible business on a player coming in from abroad, especially one whose value is tied as much to profile and fit as to eye-catching end product.
His first reaction was exactly what you would expect from a new arrival, but it still reflected the size of the move. Speaking to skysports.com, Yokota said: "I'm really excited to be joining Rangers. This is a massive club with a fantastic history, passionate supporters and high ambitions, so it's a proud moment for me."
He added: "My aim is to help the team achieve success this season, and I hope we can create some special memories together. I'm looking forward to meeting my teammates, the staff and getting started."
The more interesting part now is where he sits in the pecking order once competitive matches start. Nine signings usually bring competition as much as opportunity, and Rangers have not rebuilt this heavily to hand places out on reputation. Yokota will need to show quickly that his directness translates into consistent end product.
Still, the logic of the signing is easy to follow. Rangers have paid an initial £2.75m plus add-ons for a player McInnes has tracked for some time, and they have done it as part of a much broader squad overhaul. Even without overcomplicating it, this looks like a manager targeting speed and incision from wide areas rather than another safe body for the squad.
What the move says about Rangers' window
This transfer says as much about the club as it does about the player. Rangers are not operating like a side content with minor adjustments. Finishing second and winning only one of their last five league matches fed into a summer that has become busy very quickly.
That does not make every new signing a statement signing, and Yokota probably is not that. He is better viewed as a functional piece in a bigger redesign. Yet those deals often tell you most about what a manager thinks is missing, and McInnes has been pretty blunt about wanting more in attacking areas.
Rangers have now taken that summer total to nine with Yokota's arrival from Hannover 96 on a three-year deal, plus the option of another 12 months.
FAQ
Why have Rangers signed Daisuke Yokota this summer?
Rangers have signed Daisuke Yokota from Hannover 96 for an initial £2.75m plus add-ons as part of a wider squad rebuild. Derek McInnes said the winger will strengthen the club's attacking options and described him as quick, direct and capable of making things happen in the final third.
How long is Daisuke Yokota's Rangers contract?
Yokota has signed a three-year contract at Rangers. The deal also includes the option of an additional 12 months, but that extra year is not guaranteed.
How many signings have Rangers made this summer under Derek McInnes?
Yokota is Rangers' ninth summer signing. His arrival adds another wide attacking option as McInnes continues reshaping the squad after Rangers finished second in the 2025 Premiership.
What did Daisuke Yokota do at Hannover 96 last season?
Last season, Yokota scored five goals and supplied four assists in Germany's second division for Hannover 96. Those numbers are not huge, but Rangers are clearly buying his pace, directness and experience across different European leagues.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →
