Credit: Imago
Wed 22 April 2026 17:00, UK
James Tavernier has announced that he will be leaving Rangers at the end of his contract this summer after 11 years in Glasgow.
The defender will go down in Ibrox history after making 562 appearances for the Gers and scoring 144 goals.
The 34-year-old will hope to captain Rangers to their second Scottish Premiership title during his time at the club in the coming weeks, with Danny Rohl’s team closing in on Hearts.
Tavernier’s career began at Newcastle United, but he would only make 10 appearances for the Magpies before leaving for Wigan Athletic in 2014.
Rangers transfer chiefs have been aware of the Magpies’ interest in the right-back for many years amid a potential return, and this summer could finally see him go back to where it all started.
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James Tavernier confirms Rangers exit
Football Insider exclusively revealed last month that Rangers were open to giving Tavernier a new contract, but talks have ultimately proven fruitless.
The 34-year-old has shown his age this season, but remains a key part of Rohl’s defence.
James Tavernier Stats – Scottish Premiership 2025-26Appearances31Goals8Assists4Successful dribbles19Recoveries112Duels won135
Tavernier started and played the full 90 minutes of Rangers’ win over Falkirk earlier this month, and he will likely start against Motherwell on Sunday.
But he has now confirmed that the upcoming games will be the final five of his career at Ibrox, marking the end of an era.
“After a lot of thought, I’ve made the decision that this will be my final season at the club,” he wrote on Wednesday.
Tavernier added: “While I feel the time is right for a new challenge, my focus right now is on finishing this season the right way, together.”
It remains to be seen where that new challenge will arrive from, but there is no doubt that the Englishman plans to keep on playing.
Speaking earlier this week, he said: “I’ll keep playing, 100 per cent. I’m not slowing down, I’m still putting in numbers. My body feels great. Easily, I think I’ve got another three or four years.
“I’ve always been robust in my playing career; I’ve never had muscular injuries. So I just have to keep looking after myself.”
What Tavernier has said on Newcastle return
Since leaving Newcastle in 2014, Tavernier has been frequently linked with a return to his former club.
Asked in 2019 about links to St James’ Park, he said: “It’s a compliment and that is how I see it. But all my emphasis is on Rangers.
“Things can happen in football but I’m looking forward to this season. It’s all speculation. If it stays like that then I don’t get upset about it. I’m fully focused on the job here.
“I have always believed in my quality, even when I was younger. With the clubs I was at, Newcastle and Wigan, it didn’t work out for me. Rangers gave me a chance. The club have shown faith in me.
Thank you, Tripps 🖤🤍
After four and a half years of incredible service to Newcastle United, we can confirm that Kieran Trippier will leave the club this summer when his contract expires.
Kieran arrived in January 2022 with the club in the relegation zone and played a crucial… pic.twitter.com/Qp36O3BZKd
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) April 4, 2026
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“I have been trying to repay that favour ever since, which means working harder, getting better and better. I love my football here, my family is settled and I am in a great place at the moment.”
However, the situation has very much changed since then. Tavernier will be a free agent this summer and available for the likes of Newcastle.
The move makes sense for the Magpies, too, with Eddie Howe set to lose one of his dressing room leaders in Kieran Trippier, and with Tino Livramento also linked with a move away.
Tavernier will not be a game-changing signing for Newcastle, but he would bring leadership and quality to a side that could well be pinching pennies this summer.