Former Tottenham and England striker Jermain Defoe has extended his contract at Scottish club Rangers. Defoe has signed a one-year extension at the Glasgow-based side and has subsequently moved into a player-coach hybrid role.
Recently crowned Scottish champions Rangers have rewarded veteran Jermain Defoe with a new one-year deal at the club. As part of the agreement, Defoe will take over dual responsibility as a first-team player and coach. The Englishman spoke of his delight to the Rangers’ website.
“It is well-documented how much I love the club and the relationship I have with the fans, the players and the staff at the club,”
“So to get the deal over the line, I am just delighted. It is something I wanted to happen, even before the season finished, especially the way we finished the season with winning the league.
“It is something different and it is something new for me, and first of all, I want to thank the board, Ross [Wilson] and the manager and all the staff that have made this happen.”
the 38-year-old said.
After stints in the Premier League with West Ham United, Tottenham, Sunderland, and Bournemouth – and a brief one at Toronto FC – Defoe signed for Scottish giants. The Englishman initially arrived on loan ahead of the 2019/20 season before the club made his move permanent.
Since he first arrived at Ibrox in the three years, Defoe has made 72 appearances for the Glasgow outfit and scored 32 goals. He was used sparingly by head coach Steven Gerrard last season when he only made 20 appearances across three competitions. Defoe scored seven goals last term as Rangers beat Celtic’s dominance at the top of the Scottish league to win the title for the first time in a decade.
Defoe’s new deal will likely see him get even less game time as the striker begins his conversion into a football coach. However, Gerrard has insisted that he won’t hesitate to use the forward whenever necessary.
