Confirmed: Rangers Veteran Completes Move to European Side | OneFootball

Connor Goldson Departs Rangers for Aris Limassol

Goldson’s New Chapter in Cyprus

Connor Goldson, the stalwart centre-half for Rangers, has completed his transfer to Aris Limassol, marking the end of an illustrious six-year stint at Ibrox. The English defender’s move to the Cypriot club comes with a three-year contract, securing his place in their squad for the foreseeable future. Goldson, aged 31, departs Rangers having made a substantial impact, featuring in over 300 matches under the club’s banner since his arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Impact at Rangers

Goldson’s tenure at Rangers is highlighted by his pivotal role in the club’s triumphant 2020-21 Scottish Premiership campaign, where they clinched the title without suffering a single loss and conceded a mere 10 goals across 38 matches. His influence extended beyond domestic competitions, contributing significantly to the team’s journey to the 2021-22 Europa League final. Goldson also boasts a Scottish Cup and League Cup in his list of accolades with the Glasgow giants.

Photo: IMAGO

Reflecting on his time at Rangers, Goldson stated, “I will always cherish the moments we created together, and I look forward to embracing new challenges with Aris.”

Aris Limassol’s Aspirations

Aris Limassol, coached by Aleksey Shpilevsky, are looking to rebuild after narrowly missing out on European football this season, despite being the defending champions. They concluded the season fourth in the league following the title play-offs, with a second-place finish in the regular season behind APOEL Nicosia. The addition of Goldson is seen as a significant bolstering of their defence, especially following the departure of Franz Brorsson to Atromitos in the Greek Super League.

Goldson’s new manager expressed enthusiasm about his arrival, stating, “Connor brings a wealth of experience and leadership to our squad. We are confident his presence will make a significant difference.”

Summer of Change at Rangers

The departure of Connor Goldson is part of a broader exodus of long-serving players from Rangers this summer. Notable exits include Croatia’s left-back Borna Barisic and midfielder John Lundstram, both of whom have signed with Trabzonspor. Meanwhile, Scotland midfielder Ryan Jack, striker Kemar Roofe, and goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin are on the lookout for new clubs.

In response to the departures, Rangers have made strategic additions, bringing in 20-year-olds Clinton Nsiala, a centre-half formerly of AC Milan, and left-back Jefte from Fluminense. These moves are part of manager Philippe Clement’s efforts to refresh and strengthen the team’s defensive line-up for the upcoming challenges.

As Rangers and Aris Limassol prepare for their respective seasons, both teams will be keen to see the impact of their new signings and departures. For Goldson, the move to Cyprus represents not only a new league and culture but also an opportunity to extend his influence in European football.

In summary, Connor Goldson’s transfer to Aris Limassol ends a memorable chapter at Rangers while beginning a promising new phase in Cyprus. His leadership and experience are expected to be pivotal for Aris as they strive to return to the upper echelons of Cypriot football. Meanwhile, Rangers’ reconstruction of their squad reflects a strategic pivot as they prepare to defend their domestic titles and make further inroads into European competitions.