€4 million transfer fee confirmed
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Rangers are nearing the finalization of a significant January transfer as they prepare to sign Tuur Rommens, a defender from Westerlo. According to Transfermarkt, the 22-year-old left-back is expected to join the Glasgow club for a fee of €4 million, with Westerlo entitled to 15 percent of any future sell-on amount. This deal would make Rommens the ninth most expensive defender in Rangers’ history and marks the highest fee the club has invested in a defender since 2022. So who exactly is Rommens, and what should Rangers fans anticipate from their new addition?
Assessing Tuur Rommens’ Abilities
Rommens began his career at Westerlo but joined Genk’s youth academy in 2012, returning to his original club in 2023. Since then, he has been promoted to the first team and has received considerable attention in the transfer market. Bart Tamysn, a Belgian football expert for Transfermarkt, commented, “Last season was his best, and many expected him to move to a higher league last summer. However, after Jordan Bos transferred to Feyenoord, Westerlo couldn’t afford to lose both left-backs. With Lucas Mbamba excelling in that role and Bryan Reynolds also available for emergencies, the timing seems right for Rommens to make this transfer.”
During his tenure at Westerlo, Rommens has featured in 79 matches, occasionally playing as a left winger and at center-back, but he is primarily known as a left-back. He will be expected to slot immediately into Danny Röhl’s lineup, filling a crucial need for a regular starter in that position. Tamysn described Rommens as “physically strong and diligent in his runs up and down the flank. Defensively, he is aggressive and hard to shake off. Offensively, while he’s capable of delivering good crosses, his four assists in 55 matches over the last year and a half could be seen as underwhelming. Nevertheless, he is an excellent organizer and communicator, with a commendable mentality.”
Exploring Tuur Rommens’ Potential
Although Rommens has not yet made an appearance for the Belgian national team, he has been a consistent player for the nation’s U19 and U21 squads. Joining Rangers could be the perfect opportunity for the 20-year-old to position himself for a potential call-up to Rudi Garcia’s squad in 2026. On the topic of Rommens’ future with the national team, Tamysn stated, “Currently, there are no discussions about Rommens joining the national setup, especially with the likes of Maxim De Cuyper from Brighton and Joaquin Seys from Club Brugge available in that role. However, this transfer could certainly elevate his profile.”
Could Rommens use his stint at Rangers as a pathway to the Premier League? “Possibly, but first we need to see how he performs at Rangers,” Tamysn said. “This move is a notable advancement for him after struggling to secure a spot in KRC Genk’s first team. Westerlo has a track record of producing young talents who progress to top five leagues, either directly or through subsequent transfers. For instance, De Cuyper moved to Brighton after a successful spell with Club Brugge, following his time at Westerlo.”
Regardless of whether a national team call-up or a Premier League move lies ahead for Rommens, it’s likely he’ll strive to make the most of his opportunity in Glasgow. Given Rangers’ current challenges at left-back this season, the 20-year-old defender is poised to quickly establish himself as a key player in Röhl’s first team.
