Rabbi Matondo nears early Rangers exit for Brann Bergen move

Rabbi Matondo is close to ending his time at Rangers, with talks over terminating his contract reportedly nearing completion as the Welsh winger prepares for a move to Norwegian side Brann Bergen. The 25-year-old has featured only three times for Rangers this season and has struggled for minutes under head coach Danny Rohl.

Matondo’s lack of game time has been notable since Rohl’s arrival in Glasgow, with the German manager opting for other players in attacking roles. Since joining Rangers under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Matondo has made 70 appearances and scored eight goals, including a memorable stoppage-time equaliser against Celtic in April 2024. However, his opportunities have been limited this campaign.

The winger’s contract at Ibrox is set to expire this summer, but reports indicate he and his representatives are finalising an agreement to end the deal about three months early. This would allow Matondo to sign for a new club as a free agent immediately, rather than waiting until the season concludes. For those considering how moves like this might affect the championship race elsewhere, it serves as another example of how transfer business can reshape squads before the window officially opens.

A move to Brann Bergen is reportedly on the table for Matondo, with Norwegian sources suggesting he could complete the switch before Norway’s transfer deadline on Tuesday. The deal is expected to be a free transfer, but Rangers are believed to have secured potential bonus payments and a significant sell-on fee should Matondo move on from Brann in the future.

Despite being out of favour at club level and recovering from injury, Matondo was recently called up by Wales for their World Cup playoff against Bosnia. He did not feature in the match, which saw Craig Bellamy’s side eliminated on penalties earlier this week.

Matondo spent the second half of last season on loan at Hannover 96 before returning to Glasgow in search of more permanent opportunities. With first-team chances limited under Rohl and his contract running down, sources suggest he is now focused on finding a club where he can play a key role again.

Brann Bergen face their own challenges. The club defeated Rangers in October during Danny Rohl’s first match in charge, but currently sit 14th in Norway’s Eliteserien after losing their opening two league fixtures. They are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of what could be a difficult domestic campaign.

As negotiations near completion, all indications point to Matondo joining Brann as soon as his release from Ibrox is confirmed. The deal appears set: an immediate free transfer with future financial incentives if he impresses or moves on from Norwegian football. For fans tracking player movement or those interested in the factors that influence a smart transfer bet during international windows, there are many considerations, such as what betting sites consider around live bets and player transfers, that come into play.

An official announcement is unlikely before Wales’ next fixtures conclude, but Matondo remains eligible for international duty before potentially signing for Brann Bergen. The Norwegian club hopes to have him registered before Tuesday’s deadline as they look to reinforce their squad following a difficult start to the league campaign.

Rangers are expected to confirm Matondo’s early departure imminently, allowing him to join Brann immediately and potentially reignite his career away from Ibrox.