Rangers moved swiftly on the final day of the Scottish transfer window on Thursday, confirming two new additions to their squad: Venezuela international striker Kevin Kelsy, signed permanently from Portland Timbers for an undisclosed fee, and Algeria winger Badredine Bouanani, who joins on a season-long loan from VfB Stuttgart.

Kevin Kelsy: a well-travelled striker at just 22

At 6ft 4in and left-footed, Kelsy offers a physical presence Rangers have been missing in their forward line. The 22-year-old has signed a four-year contract at Ibrox, with an option for a further year — significant investment in a player who only moved to MLS in January 2025.

Kelsy's path to Scottish football reads like a geography lesson. He began with Mineros de Guayana in Venezuela before crossing to South America with Boston River in Uruguay, then earned two title-winning seasons with Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, where he scored nine goals in 37 appearances. A loan move to FC Cincinnati in April 2024 yielded six goals in 23 games, which convinced Portland Timbers to sign him permanently on a four-year deal — a deal Rangers have now cut short.

His MLS numbers this season make for compelling reading: 10 goals and three assists in just 16 appearances. Across 63 games in the league he has scored 19 goals in total. With six senior caps for Venezuela, he arrives with genuine international pedigree. The market will be watching closely to see whether that form translates to European football.

Bouanani: European experience and a point to prove

If Kelsy is an arrival built on raw potential, Badredine Bouanani is a player seeking a fresh start. The 21-year-old winger joined Stuttgart from Nice just over a year ago for a reported £13 million, a fee that underlined the high hopes attached to him. Yet he managed only nine starts and 13 substitute appearances for a Stuttgart side that finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season, and has not featured for them this campaign.

Bouanani is not entirely unfamiliar with the Rangers set-up. He was part of the Nice team beaten 4-1 by Philippe Clement's Rangers in the Europa League two seasons ago, and he started Stuttgart's 1-0 home defeat to Celtic in last season's Europa League play-off. Those experiences at least mean he arrives at Ibrox knowing something about Scottish clubs in European competition — only now he will be on the other side.

Born in Lille, Bouanani came through that club's academy before joining Nice, where a loan spell at Lorient gave him his first consistent senior minutes. He represented France at youth level before switching international allegiance to Algeria in 2023.

Fourteen arrivals: ambition made clear

Thursday's double announcement brings Rangers' total summer signings to 14, a figure that speaks loudly about the club's intent to rebuild under their current management. The sheer volume of recruitment means competition for places will be fierce, which is exactly what a squad aiming to challenge in both the Scottish Premiership and European competition needs.

Whether Kelsy's MLS form holds up against Scottish and European defenders, and whether Bouanani can rediscover the promise that made him worth £13 million to Stuttgart, are the questions that will define whether this window is judged a success. Rangers have given themselves every opportunity to find out.

Frequently asked

Who is Kevin Kelsy and where has he played before Rangers?
Kevin Kelsy is a 22-year-old Venezuelan striker who played for Mineros de Guayana, Boston River in Uruguay, Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, FC Cincinnati on loan, and most recently Portland Timbers in MLS before joining Rangers for an undisclosed fee.
Is Badredine Bouanani a permanent signing or a loan?
Bouanani has joined Rangers on a season-long loan from VfB Stuttgart. The 21-year-old Algerian winger joined Stuttgart from Nice for a reported £13 million just over a year ago.
How many players have Rangers signed this summer?
The signings of Kevin Kelsy and Badredine Bouanani bring Rangers' total summer additions to 14, with both deals confirmed as the Scottish transfer window closed on Thursday.