Full Breakdown
Rangers Target Croatian Keeper Ivor Pandur Amid Potential Jack Butland Exit
6/29/2026, 9:20:43 PM
Rangers Pursue Ivor Pandur for £6 million
Rangers Football Club have entered negotiations to acquire Croatian goalkeeper Ivor Pandur for a reported fee of £6 million. The move is positioned as a direct replacement for Jack Butland, who has been granted permission by Rangers to discuss a possible transfer back to Hull City.
Pandur’s Career Path and Hull’s Financial Imperatives
Pandur, 26, progressed through the youth system of HNK Rijeka before signing with Hellas Verona and later Fortuna Sittard. Hull City purchased him for £1.5 million approximately two years ago, and he contributed to the club’s promotion back to the Premier League. Hull’s current need to off-load assets is linked to compliance with the English Football League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, prompting the club to consider selling high-value players such as Pandur.
Key Personnel Involved
- Ivor Pandur – Croatian international goalkeeper, primary target of Rangers.
- Jack Butland – 33-year-old English goalkeeper, currently one of Rangers’ highest earners, seeking a return to the English Premier League.
- Derek McInnes – Rangers manager, overseeing the squad restructuring that includes the potential Pandur signing.
- Hull City – English club managing financial constraints under the Profit and Sustainability framework.
Transfer Financials and Wage Considerations
- Transfer fee for Pandur: £6 million (reported).
- Hull’s original outlay for Pandur: £1.5 million.
- Butland’s wage status: Identified as one of Rangers’ top earners; his departure would free significant salary capacity at Ibrox.
Strategic Implications for Rangers
Securing Pandur would address Rangers’ goalkeeping depth while alleviating wage pressure created by Butland’s contract. The club has identified additional goalkeeping options, including Sheffield Wednesday’s Pierce Charles and Italian prospect Sebastiano Desplanches, should the Pandur deal not materialise. Current backup goalkeeper Liam Kelly remains on the roster.
Official Positions and Player Permissions
Rangers have confirmed that discussions with Hull City are underway regarding Pandur’s transfer. Simultaneously, the club has officially allowed Jack Butland to engage in talks with Hull City, acknowledging his desire for another opportunity in the English Premier League. No direct quotations from club officials or the players are provided in the source material.
Future Negotiations
The next phase involves formal negotiations over the £6 million fee and personal terms for Pandur, alongside parallel discussions concerning Butland’s potential return to Hull City. Both clubs aim to resolve these matters promptly to align with squad registration deadlines and financial compliance requirements.
*All information is drawn exclusively from the cited Daily Record article.*
