World Cup-bound £2.7m Rangers flop braced for dream Bundesliga transfer despite relegation to third-tier
The striker’s representatives are reportedly locked in ‘intensive negotiations’
A former Rangers striker is on the verge of trading relegation pain to the German third-tier with Fortuna Dusseldorf by clinching a dream move back to the Bundesliga.
Cedric Itten scored just six goals in 33 appearances during his time at Ibrox after signing from St Gallen six years ago in a deal worth £2.7m. He subsequently returned to his native Switzerland with BSC Young Boys in 2022 before spending a season in Bundesliga 2.
The 29-year-old was able to recapture the type of form that earned him a move to Glasgow by contributing 16 goals in 32 outings for Dusseldorf, but he couldn’t prevent the club from suffering the dreaded drop.
Despite his end-of-season woe, Itten was named in the Swiss’ World Cup squad last month. Prior to joining up with the national team, he moved quickly to sort his long term future and is now expected to sign for Werder Bremen once the tournament has concluded.
Itten has already gained Bundesliga experience after Rangers loaned the towering frontman to Greuther Furth for the 2021/22 season - a deal that was cut short after six months.
2021 Rangers title-winner knows his way to goal
His representatives are understood to be locked in ‘intense negotiations’ with top-flight outfit Bremen amid rumours of potential interest from rivals Schalke 04.
Part of Steven Gerrard’s historic 2021 title-winning Rangers squad, Itten spent the majority of his spell at Rangers as back-up to the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Jermain Defoe.
However, Itten clearly knows his way to goal. While his own numbers flattered to deceive during a frustrating stint in Scottish football, he rediscovered his shooting boots by notching 37 goals in 95 Swiss Super League appearances with Young Boys, which helped them secure back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.