Peterborough United have confirmed the departure of centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez, who has completed a surprise £3.5 million move to Rangers.
The 23-year-old has signed a four-year deal with the Scottish Premiership side after a rapid rise from non-league to top-flight football.
Rangers Swoop for Fernandez in Big-Money Deal
Fernandez, who joined Posh from Ramsgate in 2021, had made just 29 EFL starts prior to the move but did enough to convince Rangers to part with a reported £3.5 million plus add-ons. The towering 6ft 6in defender will now compete for a place in Russell Martin’s squad as they prepare for a new European campaign.
The deal represents a remarkable step up for Fernandez, who admitted the approach came as a surprise.
“I was shocked when I heard about interest from Rangers because it is such a big club, but it was the place I wanted to be. I think I can kick-start my career and have a good journey here.”
Rangers boss Martin, a former Peterborough captain, praised his new signing’s potential and presence.
“He has a strong physical presence and he is a commanding defender. I believe in this environment we can help him develop and take his game to the next level.”
Fernandez follows in the footsteps of Ronnie Edwards, who was sold to Southampton by Posh for £4 million last summer — also under Martin’s management. Edwards, despite limited game time, was part of the England U21 squad that won the European Championships, further underlining Peterborough’s reputation for developing elite-level defenders.
Writer’s View
There’s no question that this is a pivotal season for Rangers — with both Glasgow giants locked on 55 league titles, the margin for error is razor-thin. That’s why signings like Fernandez invite scrutiny. On paper, this is a 23-year-old with limited senior experience, whose career to date has largely unfolded outside the spotlight. While he featured regularly for Peterborough last season, their defensive record was far from convincing and many fans haven’t hesitated to welcome his exit. That doesn’t mean he won’t flourish — raw players have succeeded at Ibrox before — but the risk is real. When supporters are desperate for title-winning pedigree and continental quality, it’s understandable that this deal doesn’t spark widespread excitement. The hope is that Rangers’ recruitment team have spotted something in Fernandez that outweighs the doubts. But hope, in a season of this magnitude, may not be enough.
For Posh, the fee represents an excellent return and funds that can be reinvested into yet another squad rebuild. For Fernandez, it’s a huge leap — from League One to the Ibrox spotlight and potentially Champions League football. It’s bold from Rangers, but if he adapts quickly, they may have landed a bargain.
