Rangers have confirmed that James Sands has left the club and returned to parent club New York City FC.
The American was signed on an 18-month loan by Gio van Bronckhorst in January 2022, but his stay at Ibrox has ended prematurely and the 22-year-old has now headed back to the Big Apple. Gers had an option to sign him permanently at the end of that season, but Michael Beale and Ross Wilson have decided he’s not worth the £4million fee they’d have to shell out so he heads back to the MLS franchise.
Sands’ versatility proved useful on occasions when the Light Blues were struggling with injuries. A natural centre back, Sands was needed early this term after John Souttar, Connor Goldson and Filip Helander were all ruled out, and he was pitched into midfield last season as Rangers went all the way to the Europa League final in Seville.
However, Souttar and Helander are on their way back to fitness while Goldson and Ben Davies are firmly established as Beale’s first centre back pairing. That’s left Sands surplus to requirements and will likely get more game time back in his native New York.
He made 41 appearances in total for Rangers, scoring once and being sent off once. In a brief tweet, the club confirmed: “Rangers FC can today confirm James Sands has returned to parent club New York City FC. Everyone at Rangers wishes him well moving forwards.”
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