Rangers have confirmed the signing of V. Dragojevic from FK Partizan, with the 20-year-old midfielder arriving on an initial four-year deal plus a 12-month option. He is the club's seventh summer signing, which tells you plenty about the scale of Derek McInnes' rebuild after a third-place league finish. Rangers are not patching a squad here, they are reshaping it.
Dragojevic arrives with a growing profile too. He already has two senior Serbia caps, and McInnes has leaned heavily on the player's leadership background after captaining Partizan at a young age.
The latest move in a busy summer
This is the clearest part of the story: Rangers have got the deal done and added another midfielder to a squad that badly needed fresh options. Sky Sports reported the move as a fee in excess of £4m, and that is the safest figure to use because other reports have varied from £4m to around £4.5m and £4.6m.
What is not in doubt is how Rangers see the player. McInnes told Sky Sports: "We are really excited to bring Vanja on board. He's got huge potential, really exciting attributes, and boasts the character to play in this environment. To captain a club the size of FK Partizan at such a young age tells you everything you need to know about the respect he commands and the leadership qualities he already possesses. I believe he will add a lot to our group, and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead."
Dragojevic struck a similar note in his first comments after the move. He told Sky Sports: "It feels amazing, and I'm really happy and proud to be part of such a big club like Rangers. It's a big opportunity and I can't wait to get started. I first heard the interest three months ago, and when I heard it I already knew it was very interesting to me because I think the winning mentality that Rangers have is compatible with my mentality."
That last line fits what Rangers are trying to build. They finished third in the 2025 Premiership with 72 points, and recent league form had slipped badly with four defeats in their last five matches. A rebuild was needed, and the volume of signings reflects that.
McInnes is still pushing for more business
Dragojevic is unlikely to be the last arrival. McInnes has been pretty open about the way Rangers are approaching the market, and it sounds more like a long process than a quick spree.
Speaking to Daily Record, he said: "Sometimes you can't always get what you want. But you keep exhausting certain targets until it is a yes or a no and you move on."
That line matters here because Rangers are still being linked with more midfield work. Teamtalk reported that the club remain in talks with Tromso over Jens Hjerto-Dahl, while Daily Record said Dragojevic was being pursued alongside that move during the rebuild. There is no confirmed agreement for Hjerto-Dahl, and that is important given the competing reports around interest from Cardiff.
McInnes also told Daily Record: "I think what you always want in any position is the best man for the job. For me, that's so important."
That sounds obvious, but at Rangers it is a pointed line. Results will decide the mood around this summer, not the number of announcements. McInnes admitted as much when he said: "I'm so aware of my responsibilities. I know this is nice at the minute. We're not playing any games, I'm building the squad, we're training and everything. Nobody's really judging you at the minute. But I know that at this club, you're judged on your results. I'm well aware of my responsibility and what needs to be done here. I feel the burden and the weight of that. So I'm determined not to let anybody down."
What Dragojevic's signing says about Rangers
At 20, Dragojevic fits a specific profile. Rangers are not only collecting experienced stopgaps. They are also betting on players who can grow, handle pressure and possibly rise in value.
McInnes' emphasis on character was probably the most revealing part of the club's messaging. Talent gets players noticed, but Rangers clearly want signings who can deal with the demands around the club. A young midfielder arriving from Partizan with captaincy experience ticks that box more convincingly than the age alone might suggest.
Whether this proves to be one of the smarter deals of the summer will be decided later. For now, Rangers have confirmed signing number seven, Dragojevic has signed for four years with a 12-month option, and McInnes is still hunting for more.
FAQ
Who is Vanja Dragojevic and why have Rangers signed him?
Vanja Dragojevic is a 20-year-old midfielder who has joined Rangers from Partizan Belgrade. He arrives on an initial four-year deal with a 12-month option, and Rangers see him as part of Derek McInnes' wider rebuild. McInnes pointed to his potential, leadership and the fact he captained Partizan at a young age.
How many players have Rangers signed this summer under Derek McInnes?
Dragojevic is Rangers' seventh confirmed summer signing. The move underlines that this is not a one-off addition but part of a broader squad rebuild as McInnes reshapes the group after a third-place Premiership finish on 72 points.
How much did Rangers pay for Vanja Dragojevic?
The safest confirmed figure is that Rangers signed Dragojevic for a fee in excess of £4m. Different reports have put the number at £4m, around £4.5m and £4.6m, but no club statement in the source set confirms an exact amount.
Are Rangers still trying to sign Jens Hjerto-Dahl?
Reports say Rangers remain in talks with Tromso over Jens Hjerto-Dahl, but there is no confirmation of a completed deal. Teamtalk has also reported interest from Cardiff, so the picture is still open rather than settled.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →
