Robin Propper finally leaves Rangers as Gers confirm defender's exit after one season at Ibrox
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RANGERS have confirmed the departure of Robin Propper, bringing an end to a lengthy transfer saga.
The defender has returned to FC Twente, the Dutch club he left for Ibrox last summer.
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Robin Propper's Rangers exit has been confirmed
Credit: Willie Vass
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He's returning to his previous club, Dutch outfit FC Twente
Credit: Getty
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The defender scored against Celtic in his one season at Ibrox
Credit: PA
The 31-year-old previously acted as captain for the Enschede side where he made more than 100 appearances over three years.
The Ibrox side said: "We can today confirm the departure of Robin Pröpper to FC Twente for an undisclosed fee.
"Everyone at Rangers thanks Robin for his contribution in his time at the club and wishes him well for the future."
In his season at Ibrox he featured regularly, playing over 40 times and scoring twice with one coming against Celtic in a 3-0 derby win.
Despite it not even being a full calendar year since joining the club, talk of Propper's exit has been rumbling on for some time.
Back in April, before the Scottish league season was even over, he was sensationally linked with Netherlands giants like PSV and Feyenoord.
And by early last month reports were suggesting that a return to his former club was looking highly likely.
This meant eyebrows were raised when the Dutchman was involved in a pre-season friendly for new boss Russell Martin later in June, a closed-doors game against The New Saints.
Just over a week ago, Twente sports director Jan Streuer said there was 'no clarity' around the situation but they hoped to get some 'very soon'.
Confirming the centre back was one of their top priorities, he added: "We have money to buy players. Is that a lot of money? Twente is not a club that is going to pay five, six or seven million for a player. We are not there yet."
Rangers new boy Robin Propper reveals how Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers told him to join Gers
It wasn't long before a £1.5million sale was being reported as close to done, as Martin confirmed: 'We accepted a bid from them, so I think it's just a case of Robin deciding if that's what he wants and agreeing personal terms and stuff.
'I've been really impressed with him as a guy, but I think obviously we signed some centre-halves, so it's going to be difficult for him to play football.
'So I think if it happens, it's a good move for him, and if it doesn't, it will be because he's decided it's not what's right for him and maybe he'll look for something else."
The delay in finalising the move has been attributed to 'negotiations with Rangers' as the player was said to be holding out for compensation.
Propper still had three years remaining on his contract in Glasgow but is thought to have penned a four year deal in Holland.
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