Danny Rohl: Coaches in Germany say Ryan Naderi can be Rangers' Nick Woltemade and Fredi Bobic

Danny Rohl has said that coaches in Germany have compared new Rangers striker Ryan Naderi to former Germany hero Fredi Bobic and Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade.

Rangers confirmed the signing of the 22-year-old in the last minutes of the transfer deadline window on Monday for a fee of £4.7m.

Naderi began his career in his hometown of Dresden but moved to Borussia Monchengladbach in 2021 and played for their second team, before joining Hansa in 2024.

Rohl said that his new number 20 is highly thought of in Germany, with coaches comparing him to £69m Premier League striker Woltemade and former European Championship winner Fredi Bobic.

“I spoke today with some coaches in Germany and a lot of messages and they compare with him former player Fredi Bobic and (Nick) Woltemade, and this direction”, he said.

“If he can bring this level here then we will have a lot of fun with him.”

Fredi Bobic celebrates after opening the scoring for Germany in a European Championship qualifier against Scotland in 2003. SNS Group

Naderi had provided eight goals and five assists in 18 games in the German third tier this season, and Rohl says he can help Rangers as they hunt down Hearts in pursuit of their first league title since 2021.

“I’m very happy that we could sign him”, Rohl added. “He is a smart, young guy with high potential. It was a long process, and he showed straight that he wanted to come and was very clear.

“I had good words with him as well.

“We tracked him for the last couple of weeks and months. He scored, he had some good assists, he’s powerful, he can run, good header, good physically, good pressing player. What we need in front.

“We know that he needs some minutes to adapt to a new league, we know this is normal.

“He will help us.”

Rangers have already been busy in the January window with midfielder Tochi Chukwuani, left-back Tuur Rommens and winger Andreas Skov Olsen all added to Rohl’s group.

He added: “We have reduced the number but have improved the quality in the squad.

“But in general, when I look at our window, I’m very positive with this, not just the ins, but also the outs. Good thing as well, we signed players, not just loan players. Shows a long-term view for the summer, which is also very important when you make decisions together.”