Rangers FC and football across Europe have been rocked this morning by the biggest transfer story of the year: Nicolas Raskin, the undisputed best player, midfield heartbeat, and Belgian international star of the club, has formally turned down a record-breaking £13.9 million, 6‑year contract extension — and tonight announced he has committed his future to Premier League giants Aston Villa, bringing an end to his brilliant three‑and‑a‑half‑year spell at Ibrox.
At just 25 years old, Raskin is not only Rangers’ most influential, consistent, and highest‑rated player this season, but widely recognised as one of the finest young midfielders on the continent. Since joining from Standard Liège in January 2023 for £1.35 million, he has evolved from a promising talent into the complete modern midfielder — the man who controls every game, dictates tempo, breaks up play, and starts every attack. This term alone, he has delivered 6 goals, 11 assists, 4,000+ minutes played, and a league‑high average rating of 7.56, winning every individual player award at the club and becoming a firm favourite with the Light Blue faithful.
The contract offer tabled by the Rangers board was the largest ever put to any player in their history — worth £2.32 million per season, designed to tie him to the club until 2032, make him their highest earner, and keep him as the face of their rebuild. Negotiations had been ongoing for months; fans, staff, and teammates were 100% certain he would sign, with Raskin repeatedly saying he loved the club, the city, and the supporters, and calling Ibrox “the perfect stage for my development”.
But behind closed doors, the Belgian star had already made up his mind. Sources close to the player confirm that while the money was incredible, his ambition was always clear: he wanted to test himself in the Premier League, play in the Champions League every season, and compete at the absolute highest level — and Rangers simply could not match that plan or guarantee those targets.
In a heartfelt, emotional statement released moments ago, Raskin confirmed the news and revealed his next destination.
“This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my career,” Raskin said. “Rangers offered me everything — more money than I ever dreamed of, £13.9 million over six years, security for life, everything. I want to thank the club, the board, the manager, my teammates, and every single fan for everything they have done for me since the day I arrived. You took me in, you supported me, you made me who I am today. I will never forget what you gave me, and I will always love this club.”
“But football is about ambition, growth, and chasing the highest level. I have always said Rangers was the perfect stepping stone, and now the time has come to take that next step. I have rejected the new contract. I have signed a 5‑year deal with Aston Villa, one of the biggest clubs in England, playing in the Champions League, with a project to win trophies and compete at the very top. This is not about money — it is about where I can reach my absolute best, play at the highest stage, and fulfil my dreams for club and country.”
The move sees him link up with fellow Belgian internationals Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana at Villa Park, reuniting with a club that has built a squad ready to challenge for titles and European football every season. Villa will pay Rangers an initial fee of £26 million, rising to £30 million with add‑ons — making him the second‑most expensive sale in the club
