Kevin Thelwell has confirmed as a new sports director of Rangers as “productive” takeover talks come together with 49ers enterprises

Kevin Thelwell will hold the position of sports director at the Rangers when he leaves Everton this summer, as Mail Sport revealed exclusively on Tuesday.

Everton announced last month that Thelwell would leave her role when his current contract would expire at the end of the season.

Speaking after accepting her new role, Thelwell said: “It’s a huge honor for me to join a club with the size, stature and expectations of the Rangers. From the first conversations, it was clear to me how ambitious the club is, and I am delighted to play a role in training its next chapter.

“I know how much the rangers mean for so many people, and it brings both responsibility and motivation. Rangers must win. This is the essential. There is already a solid base in place, and I look forward to working in close collaboration with the teams of male, female and academic programs to build something that delivers in a coherent way.

“Of course, there is an important work to come, in particular in the structure of the first team of men, but we will approach it with energy and goal. Although the change takes time, I am convinced that we can make real progress. I can’t wait to start.

Managing Director Patrick Stewart added: “I am delighted to welcome Kevin to the club after a rigorous recruitment process.

“Our football review quickly identified the need to appoint a sports director, and in Kevin, we found an exceptional candidate with a great experience in the Premier League and in the MLS.

“It will be the role of Kevin, with the full support of myself and the board of directors to direct our football service and deliver the results that our supporters expect and deserve.”

Meanwhile, the Rangers told Sky Sports News that they were in “productive conversations” with an American consortium which was to take over Ibrox club and “inject additional capital”.

It was reported in March that the health care magnate Andrew Cavenagh and the investment branch of the 49ers of San Francisco, the 49ers Enterprises, had concluded an agreement in principle to acquire a majority participation in the Scottish Premierhip Club.

Talks have been continuing since the end of October, and an agreement – which will see the American group win at least 51% of Rangers’ shares – should be completed before the new season.

A press release was seen: “ Rangers and its existing control shareholders are in productive conversations with the two main members of the consortium, Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises Football Group, on the potential of the consortium to acquire club control and to inject additional capital.

“These discussions reflect common recognition of the importance of management, ambitions and management of Rangers FC, ambitions and management.”