“He Was Stunned!” – Free Agent’s Father Breaks Silence After Reading About ‘Shock’ Rangers Transfer Rumors

Ianis Hagi officially parted ways with Rangers this summer following the expiration of his contract.

The Romanian attacker spent over five years with the Glasgow club after signing from Belgian side Genk in 2020 for a fee of around £4 million. However, after his deal ran out, Hagi opted to leave as a free agent—without the club making a significant effort to convince him to stay before Russell Martin was appointed as manager.

Hagi Addresses Transfer Talk

Hagi made an immediate impact during his debut season under Steven Gerrard, scoring eight goals and providing 15 assists across all competitions as Rangers completed an unbeaten Scottish Premiership campaign.

However, his second season was disrupted by poor form and a serious knee injury that sidelined him for the rest of the campaign. The injury continued to affect his availability into the following year, leading to a loan move to Spanish side Deportivo Alavés for the 2023/24 season.

Upon returning, Hagi showed glimpses of his former self, recording four goals and seven assists before his departure from Ibrox.

Despite his exit, recent speculation has linked the 26-year-old with a surprise return to Rangers. But his father, Romanian football legend Gheorghe Hagi, has played down those rumors.

Speaking to The Scottish Sun (July 16, page 52), he said:
“I saw stories saying Ianis is coming back to Rangers, but that chapter is closed. He did very well there.
He’s a Romanian who proved himself at a huge club. There’s always speculation when a player is a free agent, but where he goes next is entirely Ianis’ decision—even if we talk, it’s 100% up to him.”

Rangers Look Ahead

Hagi will be remembered fondly by Rangers supporters, especially for his role in the iconic 2020/21 title-winning season. He forged a strong bond with the Ibrox faithful and became something of a cult hero.

Still, injuries and inconsistency kept him from reaching those same heights again. As Rangers prepare for a new era under Russell Martin, the club appears ready to move forward without one of its former fan favorites.