Rangers bolster midfield with Vanja Dragojevic signing as Tochi Chukwuani faces new battle for starting spot

Rangers have added Serbian midfielder Vanja Dragojevic to their squad on a free transfer from FK Partizan, intensifying competition for places in the centre of the pitch and putting Danish-born Nigerian Tochi Chukwuani under renewed pressure for a starting role.

The Scottish Premiership side confirmed that Dragojevic has agreed a four-year contract, with Rangers holding an option to extend the deal into the 2030-31 season. The move is still subject to international clearance and the successful granting of a visa.

The 22-year-old’s arrival further crowds a midfield group in which Chukwuani had quickly become a key figure under manager Danny Rohl in the second half of last season, and the Nigerian will now have to contest game time directly with the former FK Partizan player.

Chukwuani’s impact under Rohl

Chukwuani joined Rangers in the January transfer window after lifting the Austrian Bundesliga title with Sturm Graz in the 2024-25 campaign, and he wasted little time establishing himself in Glasgow.

The midfielder featured in 18 of a possible 20 matches in all competitions following his move, underlining the trust placed in him by Rohl as Rangers pushed through the second half of the season.

During that spell, Chukwuani contributed three goals from midfield, scoring against Aberdeen, Falkirk and Queen’s Park to underline his box-to-box qualities and eye for goal.

His performances cemented his status as an important member of the squad, but the acquisition of Dragojevic means his place in the starting XI will come under fresh scrutiny as the new season approaches.

Competition intensifies ahead of new season

Rohl has repeatedly sought to increase depth and competition across his squad, and Dragojevic’s signing is in line with that strategy as Rangers prepare for the upcoming campaign on multiple fronts.

Chukwuani remains firmly in the manager’s thoughts. He was named in the starting line-up alongside Super Eagles centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez in Rangers’ 2-1 victory over AS Saint-Etienne at Ibrox on Wednesday, a result that formed part of the club’s pre-season preparations.

That outing underlined the Nigerian’s current importance, but the presence of Dragojevic – described by Rangers as a highly rated midfielder – signals that no player’s position is guaranteed.

With Dragojevic now waiting on final administrative clearance to complete his move, Rohl will soon have another option in the heart of midfield, ensuring that Chukwuani and his team-mates face an intense battle to secure regular minutes when the new season begins.