Rangers sign Norwich City's Kieran Dowell on pre-contract deal

Rangers have announced the signing of Norwich City midfielder Kieran Dowell on a pre-contract agreement.

The 25-year-old will become a Rangers player on July 1 and has agreed a three-year deal with the Ibrox side.

Dowell becomes manager Michael Beale’s first summer signing as he looks to revamp his squad ahead of a title challenge and Champions League qualification campaign next season.

The former England youth international began his career at Everton and had loan spells at Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Derby County and Wigan Athletic.

Dowell signed for Norwich in 2020 and played 75 times for the Canaries but will now aim for success in Glasgow as Rangers look to challenge for the Premiership title and domestic cups following a trophyless season.

“I’m buzzing and really glad to get it done early towards the end of the season,” Dowell told the club’s official website.

“I know a lot of Rangers fans and Scottish lads from my previous clubs, and they just speak so highly of Rangers – the intensity of it, the pressure of it – and that is a really good pressure as you are expected to win every game.

“There were so many positives for me to come here.”

Beale said: “I am delighted to welcome Kieran to Rangers. He already has great experience in his career, with a number of Premier League appearances, and he is a player we feel will fit well into our squad and our style of football.

“I have seen him develop as a young player through the Everton academy and also through the England junior and under-21 team.

“He is a good fit for our squad and has already been a team-mate of Tom Lawrence, John Lundstram and Todd Cantwell in previous clubs.

“It is fantastic, as a club, to be able to complete our first signing ahead of the summer break and I am excited to see what the future holds for Kieran at Rangers.”

The signing news comes a day after Rangers announced the departure of five first team stars at the end of their current contracts this summer.

Allan McGregor, Filip Helander, Scott Arfield, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos will all leave the club at the end of the season.