Rangers closing in on deal to sign Philadelphia Union defender Olwethu Makhanya

Rangers are closing in on a deal to sign South Africa international centre-back Olwethu Makhanya from the Philadelphia Union, sources briefed on the deal tell The Athletic.

The Union will receive a fee north of $4.5 million (£3.38m) and retain a significant sell-on clause, sources add. Rangers Review first reported the deal.

Makhanya, 22, has been pushing for a transfer to Europe all summer and did not return to America after being on the South Africa squad at the World Cup. The Union waited until they felt their valuation of the player was met.

Makhanya was one of the league’s best defenders in 2025, helping lead the Union to win the Supporters’ Shield, the team with the best regular season record. The all-action, ground-covering defender was perfect for the team’s high-pressing, transition style.

The defender did not feature in any of South Africa’s four games at the 2026 World Cup, and his sole senior appearance for the national team came against Nicaragua in May.

The Union and Makhanya have struggled in 2026, with the club entering the league’s World Cup break in dead last and head coach Bradley Carnell fired.

Since returning to play, the team picked up back-to-back wins — only their second and third wins of the year — as they look to get their season back on track. They did it without Makhanya, who has played his last game for the team.

Makhanya joined the Union in the summer of 2023 but didn’t get his first run of games in the first team until 2025, when he broke out as one of the league’s best center backs.

The Athletic reported in June that the Union had rejected an offer for Makhanya from a top Belgian club. The Major League Soccer side viewed the bid as nowhere near his value.

Former Rangers player Derek McInnes left Hearts to become Rangers manager in June. The Scottish side have already strengthened their defence this summer with the signings of Ben Godfrey on a season-long loan from Atalanta and Ross McCrorie, on a permanent deal from Bristol City.