Rangers bring James Penrice back to Scotland on loan from AEK Athens
Rangers have signed Scottish left-back James Penrice on loan from Greek champions AEK Athens, with an option to make the deal permanent. The move is subject to international clearance — the administrative green light needed when a player crosses borders between federations. BBC Sport
Penrice, 27, described the switch to Ibrox as "a bit surreal" and said he was "delighted to finally get it done," speaking to club media. He returns to Scottish football after a year away. BBC Sport
The defender knows the domestic landscape well. Before his move to Greece last summer, Penrice had played for Livingston, Hearts, Partick Thistle and East Fife — a career path that has now racked up more than 300 senior club appearances. BBC Sport
His time in Athens was no token stint. Penrice played 32 times for AEK last season, including 16 starts, as the club finished ahead of Olympiacos to claim their 14th Greek national title. Moving from the Scottish Premiership to a league with a Champions League pedigree is a step up that not every player manages — Penrice held his own. BBC Sport
The Scottish Sun reported that the loan fee is around £400,000, with the option to buy set at approximately £1.3 million. The same report noted that Penrice has two years remaining on his AEK contract. The Scottish Sun
The signing addresses an immediate gap for Rangers. Belgian left-back Tuur Rommens is sidelined for up to seven weeks with a groin injury, leaving the position thin just as the competitive schedule intensifies. BBC Sport
Penrice could be involved as early as this Sunday, when Rangers host St Mirren in a League Cup tie at Ibrox, kicking off at 16:00 BST. BBC Sport
For a player who built his reputation the long way — through the lower leagues, into the Premiership with Hearts, then across Europe — pulling on a Rangers shirt at Ibrox will feel like the kind of moment that makes all those Tuesday nights in the rain worth it.
