Ben Davies: Rangers complete signing of Liverpool centre-back on four-year contract | Football news

Rangers have completed the £4m signing of Ben Davies from Liverpool on a four-year deal.

The centre-back becomes Rangers’ sixth new addition in the summer transfer window.

Davies spent eight years at Preston North End with loan spells at York City, Tranmere Rovers, Southport, Newport County and Fleetwood Town before joining Liverpool in 2021.

Last season, he was on loan at Sheffield United in the English Championship, playing 23 times for the promoted Blades.

Speaking after signing, Davies said: “I’m very excited to join Rangers and I’m really looking forward to taking the next step in my career. It’s a huge club with ambitions. big and I can’t wait to get started.”

Davies, 27, has not made a first-team appearance for Liverpool since he joined Preston on a one-year long-term deal. The contract was worth £1.6m last February.

But Liverpool signed Davies for an initial price of just £500,000 which they paid back last season with a loan fee paid by Sheffield United.

Rangers coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst said: “I would like to welcome Ben to our team and I am delighted he has joined the club. He is a strong defender with qualities. great and will add to our selection in that area.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was delighted to see Davies secure the move.

“Super move. Very positive results,” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com.

“Rangers is a great club, a big club. Ben certainly belongs on a big stage. So is European football. This is the right opportunity to show his quality and composure. that.

“As a person, he’s as good a guy as you could hope to meet.

“Honestly, it was a smart signing from Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Perfect for all sides. He has himself as an excellent defender who is entering his prime years and is the the most capable person.

“We wish Ben nothing but the success he deserves and will follow from here on as he continues to achieve much for the rest of his career.”

Prior to his move to Liverpool, Davies made 145 appearances for Preston, where he came from the academy.

Positive results for everyone

Sky Sports News reporter Vinny O’Connor:

“Rangers seem to have outlasted a lot of opponents in the race to sign Liverpool centre-back Ben Davies. The £4m fee and move to a club like Rangers is a really positive outcome for Ben and the club. club.

“Blackburn made an impressive offer and pitch and Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder has been chasing Ben since he was Sheffield United manager.

“That level of interest clearly illustrates Ben’s reputation in the game. He was an outstanding professional while at Liverpool and very popular in the dressing room.

“Jurgen Klopp is disappointed that things didn’t go as expected when he joined, but has remained with Ben the entire time.”