Rangers defender Ridvan Yilmaz is on the verge of rejoining his former club, Besiktas, in a move that will end his three-year tenure at Ibrox.
Despite signing a five-year contract when he first arrived in Glasgow, the 24-year-old’s time with the Scottish club has been hampered by injuries and inconsistent form.
Yilmaz has long been linked with a return to Turkey, with Besiktas and Galatasaray frequently cited as potential destinations.
According to Turkish journalist Sercan Dikme of Sports Digitale, the Turkish international is scheduled to fly to Istanbul this evening to complete a medical ahead of finalizing the transfer.
Yilmaz’s departure follows the recent sale of fellow left-back Jefte to Palmeiras. In response, Rangers manager Russell Martin quickly moved to secure Jayden Meghoma on loan from Brentford.
The club will likely now seek another option to provide competition and depth at the position.
The funds generated from the sales of both Yilmaz and Jefte, along with the loan move of Ben Davies to Oxford United, will provide Martin with additional resources to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.
Yilmaz’s impending departure marks the end of a frustrating period for a player who arrived with high expectations.
Despite his talent, he has struggled to hold down a consistent starting spot in the Scottish Premiership.
His return to Besiktas, where he came through the youth ranks, is seen as a move to re-establish his career and regain his form in a familiar environment. He made 77 appearances for Rangers, but only 52 of those were in the league.
