Ryan Naderi’s agent recounts ‘intense last few hours’ preceding client’s sensational deadline day transfer to Rangers | OneFootball

In an interview with Transfermarkt’s “DONE DEALS” podcast, new Rangers striker Ryan Naderi’s agent has spoken on the intense last few hours that led to the 22-year-old’s move to Scotland on transfer deadline day. Earlier this month, the Dresden-native looked to be remaining put due to excessive transfer demands from his 3. Liga outfit. At the last moment, however, there was an about-face that enabled the deal to go through. 

Naderi’s agent Laurent Burkart has actually spoken on the emotional rollercoaster ride on deadline day in interviews with two German language podcasts. On the “Nachspielzeit” podcast produced by the local Ostseezeitung newspaper, Hansa sporting director Amir Shapourzadeh also chimed in on developments leading to the deadline day U-turn in an interview with Kicker.

Naderi ultimately moved to Rangers for a reported €5.5m transfer fee; a sum that smashed the record sale total for a 3. Liga player. With two cup goals, Naderi is already proving himself worthy of the investment. Shapourzadeh and Burkart both emphasized that the offered sum simply shifted the calculus in totally inconceivable ways. 

Burkart on Ryan Naderi’s last minute move

“We were all nervous about Ryan’s need to prove himself at a high level in Scotland,” Burkart told the Ostseezeitung. “There were huge expectations attached to the deal. In the final analysis, I believe in the boy. Ryan was very much affected by all the developments. At the airport [en-route to Glasgow], Hansa fans met Ryan at the gate, took photos with him, and were very friendly.

“He [Ryan] had tears in his eyes,” Burkardt continued. “It was a total goosebumps moment. The positive comments about Ryan’s departure from Hansa on the internet will carry him through and ensure that his bond with Rostock will last a lifetime.“

“It was actually extremely intense for everyone involved right up to the end,” Burkart recounted on the Transfermarktpod. “We were on our way from England to Glasgow relatively late in the evening after the medical check, in the car with a Rangers employee. There were still details to be clarified between the clubs, but also final details regarding the player’s contract. I really went down to the wire.

“Ryan then had to do a few more medical tests with the staff on site at the Rangers grounds,” Burkart continued. “Rangers had tried to sign other players on loan for that time frame, Ryan was originally planned for the summer. There were several back-and-forth discussions with the owners, who are based in the USA. We were finished just moments before the deadline.“

Shapourzadeh explains Hansa’s decision

“Figures were placed on the table that reminded us that we play in the third division,” Shapourzadeh told Kicker. “We narrowly avoided insolvency twelve years ago. We still have liabilities today. In such a moment, one has to look at the overall picture. We had to move on sums like that, and honor Ryan’s wishes.No one can guarantee that we will be promoted with Ryan. Nor can anyone guarantee that he would have remained injury-free.

“It was clear how much the issue weighed on his [Ryan’s] mind,” Shapourzadeh continued. “Our relationship was always open and trusting. We had the privilege of working with a highly talented player who was outstanding both in terms of character and as a person. Ryan was an important part of the team. A year and a half ago, we invested a lot of money by our standards because we were absolutely convinced of his potential.“

“He will always know that we meant well and wished to support him in every way,” Shapourzadeh concluded. “Ryan Naderi is now moving into the big leagues and will have to learn how to assert himself. A completely different environment awaits him in Scotland.“

GGFN | Peter Weis