Rangers captain James Tavanier has announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of this season after 11 years at Ibrox.
The 34-year-old joined the Ibrox team in 2015 and has been in charge of the side for the past eight years, winning the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup.
He also captained Rangers to the 2022 Europa League final, but Rangers lost to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties.
Tavernier wins premiership with Rangers in 2021
The right-back has scored 144 goals in 562 appearances for Rangers, making him England’s highest-scoring defender.
In a social media post, Tavernier said he would “give everything of himself until the very end” as the team focused on “pushing towards the league title.”
“This was not an easy decision,” he said. “This club has been a big part of my and my family’s life for the past 11 years. It has given me so much on and off the pitch. From the moment I arrived, I have always tried to give everything I have to represent the club in the right way.”
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The 34-year-old has scored 144 goals for Rangers.
“Being named captain of this club for 2018 has always been an incredibly proud moment for me. Leading this team, wearing the armband and being trusted in that role means more to me than words can express.”
“This is not over yet. The season is not over yet and we are fully focused on winning the league title. We will continue to give our all as always until the last day.”
“I feel the time is right for a new challenge, but my focus now is on finishing this season together the right way.”
11 years, 10 managers, 3 major trophies
Tavernier signed Mark Warburton
Tavernier was signed by Mark Warburton from Wigan to Scottish Championship side Rangers in the summer of 2015.
He scored 10 goals in his first season and helped the team gain promotion to the Premiership.
Warburton replaced Pedro Caixinha with Tavernier as acting captain, before taking over the armband full-time when Steven Gerrard took over in 2018.
Steven Gerrard appointed Tavernier as Rangers captain in 2018.
He was part of Gerrard’s Premiership-winning side, leading them to the Europa League final under Giovanni van Bronckhorst in 2022 and also winning the Scottish Cup that season.
The former Newcastle player also won the League Cup under the club’s next manager Philippe Clement.
Tavernier also captained Graham Murty, Michael Beale, Barry Ferguson and Russell Martin during their brief stints in charge at Ibrox.
Current head coach Danny Rolle prefers Dujon Sterling at right-back, with Tavernier starting 23 of Rangers’ 33 Premiership games so far this season.
Tavernier added in a statement on Instagram: “Thank you to all the players who have shared the pitch and changing rooms over the years. The bonds we have built, the battles we have had and the memories we have created are what make this game so special.”
“To all the staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes every day, thank you for everything you do for me and my team. Your support is often invisible, but it never goes unappreciated.
“And to all the fans, at home and away, in the best moments and in the toughest moments, your support means more than I can adequately express. You are the heart and soul of this club and it was an honor to play in front of you.”
