Rangers are set to bolster their attacking options with the signing of Daisuke Yokota from 2. Bundesliga side Hannover 96 in a £2.7million deal.
Derek McInnes is eager to see reinforcements to enhance Rangers' output in the final third and Yokota will be tasked with adding a creative spark to their forward play.
It's expected Yokota will sign a long-term contract with the Japanese winger set to become the Gers' 10th signing of the summer transfer window.
But what exactly are Rangers getting for their money? We profile the electrifying winger below.
Age, nationality & background
Yokota is 26 years old and was born on 15th June 2000 in Itabashi, northern Tokyo, Japan.
Emerging through the ranks at Kawasaki Frontale, the winger moved to Germany aged 18, joining FSV Frankfurt's youth system.
Transfer fee and contract
Yokota only signed for Hannover on a permanent basis at the end of the previous campaign following a successful loan spell from Gent.
It's believed that Rangers will pay in the region of €4million, with €3.3m up front and €700k in add-ons.
The length of his contract at Ibrox has yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to be at least a three-year deal.
What to expect from Daisuke Yokota
Position
Yokota is a left-footed inverted winger who is also capable of playing as a central attacking midfielder.
Height and build
Standing at 5'6", the diminutive winger boasts rapid acceleration, is extremely agile but lacks strength in one v one duels.
Style of play
Yokota's excellent dribbling and nimble footwork make him an excellent ball-carrier and he ranked among the top 5 per cent of wingers in the 2. Bundesliga last term for successful dribbles.
With excellent vision and intelligence, the 26-year-old operates as a playmaker from the flank.
More of a creative spark than a ruthless finisher, Yokota is a significant threat on the counter-attack with his electryifying speed, and he tends to draw fouls through his agility and elusive footwork.
Preferred foot
Yokota is stronger with his left foot.
Career so far
Previous clubs
Leaving Kawasaki Frontale's U18 side for Europe as a teenager, Yokota spent a year with FSV Frankfurt's U19s before signing for German lower league outfit Carl Zeiss Jena II.
It was in Latvia where he got his big break in professional football, where he became a key member of the Valmeira side that secured their first-ever top-flight league title. Yokota scored eight goals and registered 10 assists in that campaign, which subsequently led to Polish side Górnik Zabrze securing his services.
Yokota spent a year in the Estraklasa before Belgium giants Gent swooped in. The winger only made a handful of appearances in the Belgian Pro League, and instead had two spells on loan in the 2. Bundesliga - first with Kaiserslautern, and then with Hannover.
Hannover exercised their option to buy Yokota at the end of the 2025/26 season, with the club's sporting director Ralf Becker adding they were "thrilled to have secured a player of such high calibre".
Did you know?
Yokota is extremely grateful for the influence former Arsenal and Bayern Munich forward Lukas Podolski has had on his career - and not just from watching him growing up.
Yokota revealed Podolski contributed a significant amount of his own money so that Górnik Zabrze could complete his transfer from Valmeira in 2023.
Yokota said: "Lukas Podolski is a truly wonderful person. My career has definitely progressed thanks to him.
"He was a huge supporter of me when I moved to Gornik Zabrze and he was deeply involved in making the transfer happen.
"Not only did he actually contribute to part of the transfer fee himself, but he also actively worked on negotiations with the club.
"He always cared about me, helped me and supported me. Even after I left Poland, he continued to keep in touch and was able to give me advice.
"I'm truly indebted to him. It's a great source of pride for me to have played alongside such an experienced player."
