Rangers agree to sign Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland in a quick transfer

Rangers have agreed terms to sign Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland, subject to a medical. Tynecastle officials do not want to lose their top goalscorer, who is contracted for another two years, particularly to a rival club in Scotland. However, Shankland is now set to move to Glasgow.

Rangers passed up the chance to sign Shankland as a free agent last year when he was out of contract, but they are now aiming to sign him for nothing. They believe a release clause in his contract allows him to leave Hearts this summer. A two-year deal with the option of a third year has been agreed beteeen the player and Rangers after he returned from holiday to finalise the switch.

Shankland’s Hearts contract expired last summer but he eventually signed a three-year deal to remain in Edinburgh after months of negotiations. He went on to score 21 goals for club and country this season. His performances captured the attention of Rangers head coach Danny Rohl, who moved to bring the player to Ibrox.

The German knows he needs to strengthen his squad for next season after finishing third in this season's Premiership. He wants Shankland to lead his forward line for season 2026/27. Hearts do not want the 30-year-old to leave with Champions League qualifying matches looming in July. They are also keen to mount another title challenge after finishing just two points off first place this term.

The Edinburgh club came second in this season's Premiership after missing out on the title in a dramatic and controversial final-day decider against Celtic last weekend. They are determined to build on that progress and aim to compete at the top of the table again next term. Shankland, though, is destined to move on having long been attracted by the chance to move to Ibrox.

Rangers sought a quick deal with Shankland starting World Cup preparations with Scotland this week, and talks are progressed rapidly in recent days. Hearts have tried to keep their captain in the Capital and were keen to avoid another drawn-out saga following events 12 months ago.

Shankland joined Hearts in summer 2022 from the Belgian club Beerschot and quickly became the most prolific No.9 Tynecastle had seen in decades. He has scored 88 goals in 171 competitive games in maroon over the last four seasons and became the first Hearts striker to score more than 20 goals in a campaign since John Robertson.

Tynecastle officials are preparing for changes to the squad this summer with several players out of contract, including Cammy Devlin, Beni Baningime, Frankie Kent, Craig Gordon and Alan Forrest. St Johnstone winger Josh McPake has signed a pre-contract to join Hearts for next season, and French midfielder Tom Renaud has committed his future to the club.

Hearts are keen to sign defenders MJ Kamson-Kamara and Malachi Fagan-Walcott from Lincoln City and York City respectively. They are also interested in the Falkirk winger Calvin Miller as a player who could provide additional creativity in the final third. There will also be a replacement for 30-year-old Shankland to reinforce the forward line for next season.