€3m valuation 

©TM/IMAGO

Rangers are on the verge of completing the signing of FC Twente captain Robin Pröpper. The Ibrox club are in the market for a new centre-back after Connor Goldson was allowed to depart for Aris Limassol following six years in Glasgow. 

Pröpper only signed a new contract at Twente in January but it’s understood that Rangers have agreed a fee of around €2.5 million with the Dutch club. The 30-year-old was instrumental as Twente finished third in the Eredivisie last season to ensure a Champions League qualification place. Rangers sold Sam Lammers to Twente last week and it’s understood Pröpper was discussed during negotiations between the two clubs. But what can Rangers fans expect from Pröpper? Transfermarkt’s Eredivisie experts have provided insight for our lowdown on the Dutch defender. 

What can Rangers fans expect from Robin Pröpper?

Pröpper has played the entirety of his career in his homeland, making his professional debut for De Graafschap in 2012 after previously featuring for Vitesse’s youth side. The centre-back has played 223 games in the Eredivisie but he truly made his name at Twente after joining on a free transfer from Heracles in 2021. Pröpper’s market value was €800k when he joined but it’s increased to his current valuation of €3 million. Pröpper was appointed captain by Twente and Transfermarkt’s Netherlands Area Manager Kevin Lux insists the impending Rangers arrival is a ‘natural born leader’. 

“Pröpper has been a solid defender during his years in the Eredivisie, first for Heracles and the past years at FC Twente,” Lux said. “He’s a natural born leader but he somehow never made the final step to the top three clubs in the Netherlands. But it wouldn’t have been the first time a Scottish team has signed an underrated defender from the Netherlands after Virgil van Dijk. Pröpper is obviously a lot older and turns 31 in September but he is a late bloomer. He’s ready for the next step in his career and Rangers is a nice club for him.”

 Pröpper was an integral part of Twente’s defence which had the third best record in the Eredivisie last season. They conceded just 36 goals in 34 games but that was significantly lower than their expected goals against of 42.51. Twente faced the fewest amount of shots in the league with 64 which was 23 less than title winners PSV and their resolute defence was a key factor in overperforming expectations. Despite being right-footed, Pröpper played on the left-side of Twente’s defence and that would allow John Souttar to play on his natural, preferred side if that’s Philippe Clement’s preferred centre-back partnership in the immediate future.