Rangers last night completed the signing of Luton Town’s Norway international midfielder Thelo Aasgaard for a fee of around £3.5million.
As exclusively revealed by Mail Sport earlier this week, Aasgaard was identified as a key target by new Ibrox boss Russell Martin.
The 23-year-old has carved a reputation as a creative midfielder with an eye for goal during his time in English football.
Aasgaard becomes the fifth arrival of the summer transfer window after Lyall Cameron, Max Aarons, Joe Rothwell and Emmanuel Fernandez.
Now a fully-fledged international with Norway, Aasgaard insisted Martin’s possession-based style of play was a big pull.
‘I am delighted to be here,’ he said. ‘I have been waiting for it, but I am glad to get it over the line.
Aasgaard (centre) was delighted to link up with Russell Martin (right) at Rangers
The Norway international joined Luton in January but has moved on after the club were relegated to League One
‘When I heard about Rangers (and their interest), I was over the moon. I have played against the manager’s teams a few times and I always pictured myself in his team and to be here now is really good.
‘It was an easy decision, I love the number of games here, it is like the EFL and I love playing. The stature and history is enough as well.’
Aasgaard only joined Luton from Wigan for £3m back in January, but has now moved on following the club’s relegation to League One.
Aasgaard was born in Liverpool but qualifies to play for Norway through his father. He scored and also gave an assist on his debut for the national team back in March. After lining up alongside Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, his Luton boss Matt Bloomfield said: ‘He went away with elite company and looked right at home.’
Aasgaard (right) came through the Liverpool academy before playing over 160 games for Wigan in the Championship and League One prior to joining Luton.
‘We are delighted to bring Thelo to the club,’ said Ibrox boss
Martin, whose team will start their pre-season campaign with a friendly against Club Brugge this afternoon. ‘His attributes will enhance the group.
‘He is a player who we have liked for a long time, and we believe he possesses the necessary qualities to thrive at this club and in this team.
‘He wants to win and develop as a player, and we believe we can help him do both.’
Aasgaard has played alongside the likes of Martin Odegaard (pictured) at international level
Martin, meanwhile, feels anyone coming to Rangers must show him they are ‘desperate’ to play for the club as he looks to build for a successful first campaign in charge.
The new manager will get a first opportunity to show Rangers fans his intentions with a pre-season friendly against Club Brugge today as the focus moves towards the Champions League qualifying tie against Panathinaikos.
Whatever his final team will look like, Martin is determined the players must all show the required mindset to help take Rangers forward again.
‘People need to be desperate to play for this club and not just be an option and one of a few options,’ Martin told Rangers TV. ‘Can you come here and add to us as a group in terms of your behaviour, the way you train, the way you work and who you are as a human being, your willingness to play in a way that we want to? Which is not for everyone because it’s not easy.
‘Also playing for this football club will not be for everyone — character first and then talent after and, if we get both, we will be really happy.’
Joe Rothwell (left to right), Max Aarons and Emmanuel Fernandez have also joined Rangers this summer
Defender Aarons has moved to Ibrox on loan from Bournemouth after spending the second half of last season on loan at Valencia.
The 25-year-old is confident he can have an impact with Rangers as he looks to provide competition at right-back for Light Blues captain James Tavernier.
‘When I look back, nearly every club I’ve been at, it’s been a similar situation where the right-back has been the captain,’ said Aarons, who was coming through at Norwich towards the end of Martin’s time with the club.
‘Tav’s a great guy who has been successful here, so anything I can pick up from him will be amazing.
‘But I am here to hopefully put my marker down and play as many games as I can and contribute to a successful season.’