Colorado Rapids sign Scottish center back Danny Wilson from Rangers

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing

The Colorado Rapids added another battle-tested defender to their roster on Monday, signing Danny Wilson from Scottish giants Rangers FC. 

A former Scottish youth international with a handful of caps at senior level as well, Wilson can play both center back and left back and marks the latest in a bevy of new acquisitions for new Rapids coach Anthony Hudson.

He's Colorado's second defensive signing in as many weeks, after acquiring New Zealand international defender Tommy Smith from English League Championship side Ipswich Town.

“Danny’s signing is an important addition to our back line,” Rapids GM Padraig Smith said in a statement. “In addition to his experience and leadership, Danny is in the prime of his career, and will be one of the best passing center backs in the league. We look forward to welcoming him to Colorado.”

Colorado are revamping both their playing style and roster ahead of their 2018 campaign, which kicks off earlier than most thanks to a CONCACAF Champions League first-round duel with Toronto FC next month.

Wilson, 26, rose through Rangers’ youth system before transferring to Liverpool in 2010 in a deal reported at upwards of £2 million ($2.8 million) depending on performance-related add-ons. He didn’t manage to break into the English Premier League giants’ starting lineup, going out on several lower-division loan spells before returning to his homeland with Heart of Midlothian, where he grew into one of Scotland’s top defenders and eventually rejoined Rangers in 2015.

"I would like to thank Rangers, as well as their supporters, for the terrific support they showed during my time with the club,” Wilson said in a statement. “But in my discussions with Pádraig and coach Hudson, it became clear that the Rapids have a very ambitious vision for the future, and I can’t wait to join the team and start the process of bringing that vision to life.”

The Rapids have made extensive moves this winter, acquiring more than half a dozen new players and reportedly shifting to a 3-5-2 formation.