Russell Martin has swooped to be reunited with his former player as he makes it two signings from Bournemouth this summer
18:48, 02 Jul 2025Updated 21:10, 02 Jul 2025
Rangers new boy Joe Rothwell helped Leeds to Championship title and EPL return last season
Rangers have landed a ‘pure baller’ in Joe Rothwell.
That’s the verdict of Leeds United boss Daniel Farke who labelled Russell Martin’s newest recruit as one of the best in England with the ball at his feet.
The midfielder joins Max Aarons in swapping Bournemouth for Rangers after putting pen to paper on a three-year deal.
He becomes the third arrival this summer with Lyall Cameron checking in on a pre-contract from Dundee. The Ibrox boss now has his sights set on defenders as he chases three more targets.
But the Light Blues faithful have seen their new man getting a glowing report from his old boss last term as he helped Leeds – also part of the 49ers Enterprises umbrella – to English Championship glory and with that a return to the English Premier League.
Speaking back in February to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Farke said: “We don’t have to speak about his quality, he’s a pure baller – with the ball probably one of the best in this country.
“What he does in terms of passing, his technique and tidy touches is outstanding. Sometimes in this position you need a few different skills or you would win Premier League title after title and have 150 caps for England.
But when it comes down to dominate the game and be there with tidy touches, to drive the game forward, if you enjoy football you enjoy him playing. It’s great we have him as a really good option.”
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke
Rothwell will join his new Rangers team-mates on the training field as preparations step up a gear for Panathinaikos.
The Champions League qualifying campaign is on the horizon with the Light Blues starting in the second round with three two-legged ties needing to be successfully negotiated for a spot in the big time.
Speaking about his move, the 30-year-old told the Rangers website: “My first reaction? A yes straight away, obviously then with the manager coming in as well it made that decision a little bit easier for me.
“Working with him and knowing what type of guy he is and how he wants to do things that was an even bigger pull for me, but the club speaks for itself really.
“It doesn’t take much telling to you and as soon as the interest was there it was an immediate yes from me.
“I have said it in past interviews just as a man he is one of the best I have come across.
“He is all about the players, he will also put the players first and I am sure the lads will get to know that as they get to know him a bit better.
“Tactically and things like that he is brilliant as well so I am really looking forward now to getting to work under him again.”