Rangers were able to snap up Robin Propper for just £1.5 million with only hours to spare because of a special clause in his contract, Twente Enschede chief Arnold Bruggink has revealed.
The Dutch club are reeling after losing their captain to Philippe Clement's side at the start of the season and ahead of a Champions League tie with Red Bull Salzburg.
And Twente's sporting director Bruggink has admitted Rangers managed to take advantage of an agreement the Dutch club made with Propper after they blocked a move last season to a top club.
He explained: "Last year we stopped Robin from going to a top foreign club. After that, we started talking about the possible what-if situations that could arise the next time a club came in for him.
"Then we sat down together and made a new agreement.
"The agreement was if a club came in for him before midnight on July 31 and paid the agreed amount, then he could go.
"That's how it was.
"And the transfer to Rangers only started two days before it.
"So for us, it's the timing that's the most annoying. It's not great at all.
"And it's not great for the coaches, the players, the supporters and the club.
"It still feels strange to me. Suddenly an important player - who was at the heart of the team - is gone. And our captain too."
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