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South Africa's Makhanya becomes Rangers' eighth summer signing
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South Africa's Makhanya becomes Rangers' eighth summer signing

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SokaLive

30 Jul 2026, 14:03

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South African defender Olwethu Makhanya has completed his move to Rangers, becoming the Scottish club's eighth summer acquisition in their ongoing squad rebuild. The left-back joins from Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union on an undisclosed transfer fee, adding defensive depth to Philippe Clement's squad ahead of the new season. Makhanya's arrival continues Rangers' active summer transfer window as they prepare for European competition, with the Glasgow club targeting reinforcements across multiple positions following last season's domestic challenges.

Makhanya brings valuable experience from his time in MLS, where he developed as a consistent performer in one of North America's most competitive leagues. The South African international has represented his country on the international stage, earning caps for Bafana Bafana while competing in a demanding league that has produced numerous European-standard defenders. Rangers have invested heavily this summer to strengthen their squad, with the addition of Makhanya representing another strategic piece in Clement's tactical framework as the club seeks to challenge Celtic's dominance in the Scottish Premiership and compete effectively in European tournaments.

The 25-year-old defender's signing signals Rangers' commitment to building a more robust defensive structure for the upcoming campaign. Makhanya will compete for the left-back position within a competitive squad as Rangers prepare for their opening fixtures in both domestic and continental competitions. The transfer represents a strategic acquisition for the Ibrox club, who continue their summer recruitment drive with the goal of mounting a serious title challenge. With eight signings now confirmed, Rangers have substantially overhauled their squad composition as they look to return to winning ways in Scotland's top flight.