Derek McInnes has his first marquee defensive signing. Rangers have confirmed the loan signing of English centre-back Ben Godfrey from Italian Serie A side Atalanta, with the deal including an option for a permanent transfer at the end of the arrangement.

Godfrey, 28, passed his medical and is set to feature for Rangers in the 2026/27 season.

Who is Ben Godfrey and why does he fit Rangers?

Godfrey made his name in the Premier League with Everton before Atalanta signed him in June 2024 for a reported fee of £11 million, on a contract running until 2028.

His time in Serie A has been turbulent, to put it diplomatically. Rather than nailing down a starting spot in Gian Piero Gasperini’s system, Godfrey spent successive seasons on loan, cycling through Ipswich Town, Sheffield United, and most recently Danish side Brøndby, whose loan arrangement expired on June 30, 2026.

His Brøndby loan ending on June 30 and this deal surfacing around June 27 suggests the timing was tight and deliberate. McInnes clearly had Godfrey identified and moved quickly to get him through the door before the window became more competitive.

What this means for McInnes and Rangers’ summer rebuild

Godfrey becomes the third signing of Rangers’ summer window, and the first one that signals a genuine shift in defensive philosophy under McInnes.

The option-to-buy clause attached to the loan is worth noting. It signals that Rangers are not just filling a gap for one season; they are auditioning Godfrey for a longer role. If he performs, the club has a mechanism to convert the deal into something permanent.

Atalanta’s willingness to send Godfrey out on loan again, rather than sell him outright, is also telling. The Italian club retain his contract until 2028, which gives them leverage in any eventual permanent negotiation.