€3.6 million transfer fee agreed
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Rangers have made a significant addition to their squad this January, confirming the signing of Tuur Rommens from Westerlo. The 22-year-old full-back has joined the Glasgow club for a fee of €3.6 million, with Westerlo receiving 15 percent of any future sell-on fee. This transfer marks Rommens as Rangers’ ninth most expensive defensive acquisition and the highest fee for a defender since 2022. So, who exactly is Rommens, and how excited should Rangers fans be about this new signing?
What to Know About Tuur Rommens
Rommens began his career at Westerlo and then moved to Genk’s youth academy in 2012, returning to Westerlo in 2023. Since his comeback, he has secured a first-team position and garnered attention from competing clubs. Bart Tamysn, a Belgian football expert from Transfermarkt, states, “Last season was his best, and it seemed likely he would leave for a stronger league in the summer. However, due to Jordan Bos’s transfer to Feyenoord, Westerlo couldn’t afford to lose both left-backs. Now that Lucas Mbamba has emerged as a capable alternative, this is the right moment for Rommens to transfer.”
With 79 appearances for Westerlo, Rommens has experience playing as a left winger and in central defense, although he is primarily a left-back. He is expected to fill a critical position in Danny Röhl’s team. When discussing Rommens’ playing style, Tamysn noted, “He is physically strong and adept at making runs up and down the flank. Defensively, he is tenacious and hard to bypass. Offensively, while he can deliver good crosses, four assists in 55 matches over the last year and a half might seem modest. He also possesses strong organizational skills and communicates well on the pitch.”
Potential of Tuur Rommens
While Rommens has not yet been called up to the Belgian national team, he has played regularly for the U19 and U21 squads. A move to Rangers could be just the opportunity he needs to capture the attention of national team selectors leading up to the 2026 campaign. Tamysn remarked, “Currently, Rommens isn’t in national team discussions due to competition from players like Maxim De Cuyper at Brighton and Joaquin Seys from Club Brugge, but this transfer could enhance his visibility.”
Could this be a stepping stone for Rommens towards the Premier League? “Potentially, but his success at Rangers will determine that,” Tamysn commented. “This transfer represents a significant advancement after he struggled to establish himself at KRC Genk. Westerlo has a history of nurturing talent that moves on to top leagues, either directly or indirectly.”
Whether a future call-up for the Belgian national team or a Premier League opportunity lies ahead, it is clear that Rommens aims to make the most of his Glasgow chapter. Given Rangers’ need for reliable left-back options this season, it won’t be long before he becomes a key player in Röhl’s lineup.
