Rabbi Matondo in race against clock to seal Rangers exit, permit now needed - report

Rabbi Matondo is now facing a race against time to sign for SK Brann from Rangers.

According to BA, the two clubs have agreed on the majority of terms to allow the Welsh international to leave Ibrox and move to Norway for no upfront fee.

However, Matondo will need to secure a work and residence permit before he can seal his move, with a contract waiting until the end of the season in Norway.

It is said that as long as applications are submitted before Wednesday, they can be sorted whenever, with Cheikh Mbacke Diop also signing.

Matondo has been a passenger at Ibrox for years now, with his next transfer close to completion.

When is Norway transfer deadline for Rabbi Matondo?

The Norwegian Eliteserien transfer window is on 31 March.

Matondo is set for his medical within hours, but with the permit and other details to be confirmed, it’s not as straightforward as it seems.

Rangers are set to include a hefty sell-on clause and possible bonuses to release the winger from his current contract three months early.

Matondo last played for the Bears at the start of February in the Scottish Cup win over Queen’s Park off the bench, and that will be the final time we see him in the famous blue.

Where did it all go wrong for Matondo at Ibrox?

There were some memorable moments in his time in Govan, but in the end, it will be a feeling of failure for the winger leaving Ibrox.

Matondo’s Old Firm screamer under Philippe Clement springs to mind immediately, but injuries and general form continued to hold him back under several managers.

Looking at his all-time stats from Glasgow with the Sofascore graphic below, it’s clear that the winger never delivered enough goal involvements.

Despite only playing one minute of Scottish Premiership action this season, the attacker did get called up by Wales for this current international break.

He didn’t feature at all in the World Cup qualifier heartbreak against Bosnia on Thursday, and this move to Norway could cut his break short.

Danny Rohl will be happy to trim his squad, especially with another huge summer transfer window coming up, with Andrew Cavenagh’s further backing confirmed already.

More attacking signings are likely, and it’s best to keep cutting the squad, following on from the likes of Kieran Dowell leaving in recent months.

It’s time to wave goodbye and cut ties.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.