Niko Katic is back Rangers after an eventful loan spell with Hajduk Split, as the defender prepares to battle for his place at Ibrox ahead of next season.
The Croatian has been something of a mystery since his arrival in Glasgow in 2018, but was previously tipped to have the chance to be part of Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s side in the upcoming campaign. . Katic Made nearly 60 appearances in his first two seasons at Ibrox but suffered a severe injury and knee surgery, which kept him out for a year.
But with rookie John Souttar and the retention of key star Connor Goldson, the Light Blues are looking to strengthen the backline with Katic in goal after returning from loan.
The defender made 22 appearances and helped the team finish second, winning the Croatian Cup. Hajduk had the option to buy Katic for around £3m, but failed to activate the buy clause, leaving him back at Rangers. The defender then shared his experience of the loan move in a social media post, thanking the fans.
On Instagram, he said: “Good days and bad days, but always honorable, fair and uncompromising, at the end with the trophy in hand.
“A big thank you and best of luck to my teammates, the club staff and all the sincere fans of the white Split.”
Meanwhile defender AWOL Mateusz Zukowski was also photographed at Auchenhowie, after appearing only once at Ibrox despite being hailed as Nathan Patterson’s replacement.
(Image: @RangersFC)
The Polish right-back was signed in the January transfer window on a three-and-a-half-year deal from Lechia Gdansk for an undisclosed fee but his only game was still against Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup.
Rangers can still add more names to the squad in the summer window, with strikers like these Antonio Colak and Katic’s countryman Ivan Lepinjica linked to the move to Ibrox.
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