Connor Goldson Claims Rangers Paid Him to Leave in Aris Transfer

Former Rangers player Connor Goldson revealed that Rangers paid part of his contract to expedite his move to Cyprus. While the English wanted to continue his career in Scotland, the Gers weren't sure of the plan and instead told the defender to leave.

Speaking to Open Goal, Goldson said the club covered half a year's pay, so that the move would face no barriers. "So Rangers paid for me to leave," the 33-year-old told the podcast. Goldson signed a four-year deal two years before the transfer.

Likewise, despite having spent six years in Glasgow, the defender still had two years left on his contract, which was set to expire in 2026. Then manager Philippe Clement delivered the bad news, telling Goldson that Rangers no longer saw the contract as worth the cost.

The Englishman resisted the move as he believed that his contributions since arriving from the Premier League in 2018 justified the terms the Gers agreed on previously. Clement was put in a difficult position, according to Goldson, as the Belgian gaffer was told that plans had changed, with the objectives being redefined.

The high earners were expected to depart in order to reduce costs, Goldson was told. Nevertheless, the defender's belief that his contributions had justified the contract wasn't far-fetched.

Goldson made more than 300 appearances for the Light Blues and won all three major domestic honours with the Glasgow club. He was also a crucial part of the Rangers side that reached the 2022 Europa League final under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Goldson had tasted an almost European glory while also playing every minute of the Rangers' 56 matches during the 2020/21 Premiership campaign. The Gers won the title going unbeaten in the league as the defender scored two goals in an October victory at Celtic Park under Steven Gerrard.

Goldson's contributions weren't limited to on-field performance, with the Englishman wearing the captain's armband during James Tavernier's absence. While he captained two league games, the trust shown by the manager when Tavernier was unavailable highlights his importance.

Goldson completed his collection of Scotland's three major domestic honours in December 2023 after winning the League Cup. The 33-year-old had already won the Scottish Cup by that time, just a year earlier.

The defender recalled that both Tavernier and Scott Wright accompanied him to the train station before his departure. It was no small change for the defender, as he also told the podcast that he cried after addressing his teammates. While the fee paid by Aris wasn't disclosed by Rangers, the contributions made by Goldson in Glasgow are evident nevertheless.