Exeter agree deal for Rangers' Yfeko as eight depart

Exeter City have signed Rangers central defender Johnly Yfeko on a two-year deal after triggering an option in his loan.

City have paid an undisclosed fee for the 21-year-old, who impressed in 13 games before missing much of the season after a hamstring injury he first suffered in October.

City have also taken up options to extend the deals of 34-year-old Northern Ireland striker Josh Magennis and fellow forward Jay Bird, 24.

Magennis has scored 12 goals in 46 games since joining last summer, while Bird has scored five goals in 10 games on loan at Rochdale this year.

"I spoke to Johnly today and said he has every tool at his disposal to be a top, top player; now he has to make sure he stays on the pitch next year," Exeter manager Gary Caldwell told the club website.

"He's professional; he's consistent with his work because his ceiling is huge for what he can achieve in his career, and we're delighted to sign him this summer."

Fourteen players are already under contract for the 2025-26 season, while eight players have been released by the club at the end of their deals.

Experienced defenders Angus MacDonald and Ben Purrington head the list along with Kenya international Vincent Harper and centre-back Cheick Diabate.

Reserve goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald is also leaving, as are academy graduates Mitch Beardmore, Gabe Billington and Max Edgecombe.

City are in contract negotiations with midfielders Caleb Watts, Jake Richards and Pedro Borges and young goalkeepers Harry Lee and Frankie Phillips.

Experienced trio Kevin McDonald, Demetri Mitchell and Yanic Wildschut have all been invited back to pre-season at City, along with forward Pat Jones, although they have not been offered deals at this stage.

Wildschut missed all of the season after suffering a knee ligament injury in Exeter's final pre-season game last August, while Mitchell has also suffered from knee problems.