Rangers have agreed a deal to sign AEK Athens left-back James Penrice, bringing the Scottish defender back to the Premiership on a loan with an option to buy. The move, confirmed through multiple reports including those from transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, comes as Derek McInnes looks to strengthen his defensive options at Ibrox following an injury to Dutch left-back Tuur Rommens. Penrice is scheduled for a medical on Friday, paving the way for a swift return to Scottish football after a successful first season in Greece.
The 27-year-old, who left Heart of Midlothian for AEK Athens in a £2 million transfer last summer, has been a long-term target for Rangers. Discussions between the clubs intensified in recent days, with the Light Blues submitting proposals that ultimately secured agreement on a temporary deal including a purchase clause. AEK Athens, the reigning Super League Greece champions, had initially preferred a permanent sale but were open to a loan arrangement that allows Penrice to move while retaining some control over his future.
This signing addresses an immediate need at left-back. Rommens suffered a hamstring injury expected to sideline him for between four and eight weeks, leaving McInnes short of senior options in that position. Young prospect Ashton Scally has been hampered by his own fitness issues during pre-season, while previous loan signing Jayden Meghoma returned to parent club Brentford. Penrice’s arrival provides competition and cover at a critical stage of the campaign, just as Rangers navigate domestic fixtures and the aftermath of their European exit.
Penrice’s career path has been one of steady progression and resilience. Born in Livingston on 22 December 1998, the left-footed defender came through the youth ranks at Partick Thistle. He made his senior debut for the Maryhill club as a teenager and gained valuable experience on loan at East Fife in League One during the 2016-17 season, followed by a spell at Livingston in the Championship. After establishing himself at Partick Thistle, where he contributed to their League One title win in 2020-21, he moved permanently to Livingston in 2021.
At the Tony Macaroni Arena, Penrice developed into a reliable Premiership performer over three seasons, making close to 100 appearances across all competitions and showcasing an ability to contribute going forward as well as defensively. His form earned him a free transfer to Hearts in the summer of 2024, where he truly flourished under McInnes. In his single season at Tynecastle, Penrice made 46 appearances, scored twice, and provided multiple assists. His consistent displays saw him named both Players’ Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year at the club, while also securing a place in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year for the 2024-25 campaign.
That standout season attracted interest from abroad, and AEK Athens moved decisively in July 2025, paying a fee in the region of £2 million to secure his services on a long-term contract running until 2028. Hearts benefited from a sell-on clause in the deal. In Greece, Penrice adapted quickly to a new league and culture. He featured regularly as AEK claimed the Super League title, making around 32 appearances across league, cup, and European competitions. While not always an automatic starter, his versatility, work rate, and crossing ability made him a useful squad member during a successful campaign that also included European runs in the Conference League.
Rangers’ interest in Penrice is not new. The club monitored him during his time at Hearts and made approaches while he was at AEK, including in the January window, though those were rebuffed at the time. With McInnes now in charge at Ibrox—having previously managed Penrice at Hearts—the connection has clearly helped facilitate the latest agreement. McInnes knows the player’s character and attributes intimately. The defender is regarded as a high-energy full-back who can overlap effectively, deliver dangerous balls into the box, and recover defensively with intensity. At 5ft 10in, he is not the tallest, yet he competes well aerially and reads the game intelligently.
The timing of the deal is significant. Rangers have been active in the transfer market under the new regime, adding players such as Lawrence Shankland and others to bolster the squad. Strengthening the left side of defence has been a priority, especially after the early European disappointment against Jagiellonia Bialystok. Securing Penrice on loan with an option to buy represents a pragmatic solution: it allows the player to prove himself in a familiar environment while giving Rangers flexibility on whether to make the move permanent depending on performances and finances.
From Penrice’s perspective, the opportunity to return to Scotland and play for one of the country’s biggest clubs holds obvious appeal. Having experienced life abroad and tasted title success in Greece, he now returns with added maturity and experience of different tactical systems and higher-pressure environments. Playing under McInnes again could accelerate his integration. Supporters will hope the familiarity helps him hit the ground running.
The deal has generated considerable discussion among the Rangers support. Many view Penrice as a solid, experienced acquisition who understands the demands of Scottish football and the intensity of Old Firm matches. His previous performances against Rangers while at Hearts and Livingston demonstrated both his defensive discipline and attacking threat. Critics might question whether a loan from a Greek club represents the level of ambition some fans desire, yet the practical realities of the current squad situation and the injury crisis make this a sensible piece of business.
AEK Athens will no doubt monitor his progress closely. The Greek side retain the option to sell permanently should Rangers exercise the buy clause, and the fee involved would likely include compensation reflecting his remaining contract value and development since the original move from Hearts. For Rangers, the structure minimises immediate financial outlay while providing a player ready to contribute.
Looking ahead, Penrice’s arrival could influence the balance of the squad. McInnes favours energetic, progressive full-backs who can support the attack without leaving the defence exposed. Penrice fits that profile. His ability to play high up the pitch and deliver crosses from wide areas should complement the attacking talent already at Ibrox. Defensively, his experience of competing in the Premiership will help him adapt quickly to the physicality and pace of the league.
The medical is a formality expected to be completed without issue. Once cleared, Penrice will join training and could be in contention for selection in the coming weeks as Rangers continue their Premier Sports Cup campaign and prepare for the league season. His presence also provides cover should further injuries arise, a constant concern in a demanding fixture list.
This transfer continues a pattern of Scottish players returning home after spells abroad, often bringing valuable experience. Penrice’s journey from Partick Thistle youth to Greek champion and now potential Rangers regular illustrates the pathways available in modern football. For a player who has steadily climbed the ladder through hard work and consistent performances, joining Rangers represents a significant career milestone.
Rangers fans will watch with interest to see how quickly he settles. If he can recapture the form that made him one of the standout performers in the 2024-25 Premiership season, he has every chance of becoming an important part of McInnes’s plans. The option-to-buy clause means both parties can assess the fit over the course of the loan before committing further.
In the broader context of the summer window, this deal forms part of a measured approach to squad building. Rather than chasing high-profile, expensive targets exclusively, Rangers are addressing specific needs with players who know the league and the manager. Penrice ticks those boxes. His work ethic, technical ability on the ball, and familiarity with Scottish football give him a strong foundation for success at Ibrox.
As the medical takes place and formalities are completed, attention will turn to how McInnes deploys his new signing. Whether as an immediate starter or as squad depth competing with returning players, Penrice will be expected to contribute. For a club aiming to challenge at the top of the Premiership and progress in domestic cups, reliable options across the back line are essential.
The story of James Penrice’s career is far from finished. From his early days at Firhill through spells at Livingston, a breakthrough year at Hearts, a title-winning campaign in Athens, and now a move to Rangers, he has shown adaptability and determination. Rangers supporters will hope the latest chapter proves the most successful yet. With the deal agreed and the medical imminent, the left-back is poised to pull on the light blue jersey and begin the next phase of his professional journey at one of Scottish football’s most storied clubs.
The agreement underscores the ongoing links between Scottish clubs and the movement of talent both out of and back into the Premiership. Penrice’s return is a reminder that experience gained overseas can enhance a player’s value upon coming home. For Rangers, it is a timely reinforcement. For Penrice, it is a chance to prove himself at a higher level in front of passionate home support. As the formalities conclude, all eyes will be on how this new chapter unfolds at Ibrox.
