PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ivor Pandur |
| Date of Birth | 25/03/2000 (Age: 26) |
| Place of Birth | Rijeka, Croatia |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Height | 1.85 m / 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 81 kg |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | — |
| Current Club | Rangers |
| Previous Clubs | Rijeka, Hellas Verona, Fortuna Sittard, Hull City |
| International Caps | Youth levels (Croatia U15–U21) |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Market Value | €2m |
The Frozen Moment
The call came while he was at the World Cup. Ivor Pandur, the 26-year-old goalkeeper who had just helped Hull City win promotion to the Premier League, was now preparing for a move to one of Europe’s most historic clubs. Rangers had agreed a £6 million deal with Hull, and Pandur was signing a four-year contract.
“I am honoured and privileged to sign for such a big club with so much history,” he said. “This club knows how to win and that’s exactly why I am joining Rangers.”
For the boy from Rijeka, the journey had been a long one. From his hometown club to Italy, from the Netherlands to England, and now to Scotland, he had finally found a stage worthy of his ambition. He was ready for the pressure. “I’ve never run from pressure, from responsibility, all my career,” he said. “I want to test myself at the biggest stage.”
Origins
Ivor Pandur was born in Rijeka, Croatia, on March 25, 2000. His football journey began at his hometown club, HNK Rijeka, where he joined the youth system and progressed through the ranks. He made his professional debut for Rijeka in October 2019, keeping a clean sheet in a Croatian Cup tie against Buje. His league debut followed on December 14, 2019, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-1 victory over Varaždin.
During his time at Rijeka, he made 20 league appearances and kept 10 clean sheets in 24 appearances across all competitions. He was part of the Rijeka side that won the Croatian Cup in the 2019-20 season, featuring in the final victory over NK Lokomotiva Zagreb. He also won two Croatian Cup titles and finished as runner-up in the Croatian league and Super Cup.
The European Forge
In August 2020, Pandur made the move to Italy, signing a five-year contract with Hellas Verona in Serie A. His debut was memorable: he saved two penalties in a Coppa Italia shootout success against Venezia. His league debut followed on May 9, 2021, in a 1-1 draw with Torino.
Over two seasons at Verona, he made 11 appearances across all competitions, but opportunities in Serie A were limited.
In July 2022, Pandur joined Fortuna Sittard on loan in the Dutch Eredivisie. He quickly became the starter, making his debut on August 27, 2022, and keeping his place throughout the season. He was named in the Eredivisie Team of the Month in October 2022, a feat he repeated in August 2023. Fortuna exercised their purchase option, signing him permanently. He made 16 appearances for Fortuna in the 2023-24 season before moving to England.
The Hull City Breakthrough
In January 2024, Pandur signed for Hull City on a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. After spending the remainder of the 2023-24 season as an understudy, he made his competitive debut in the 2024-25 Championship season opener against Bristol City.
The 2024-25 season was his breakthrough. He played in 44 of 46 league matches, keeping 10 clean sheets and recording a 71.4% save percentage. His performances were so impressive that he won three end-of-season awards: Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, and Supporters’ Player of the Year.
The 2025-26 season was even better. He played in every Championship match, keeping 11 clean sheets and conceding 59 goals. He was instrumental in Hull’s promotion to the Premier League, keeping clean sheets in both play-off semi-finals and the final.
The Anatomy of His Game
Pandur is a modern goalkeeper defined by his shot-stopping, presence, and character. His stats from the 2025-26 Championship season speak to his quality: 41 starts, 3,690 minutes played, 11 clean sheets, and 59 goals conceded.
In possession
, his distribution has been a key part of Hull’s build-up play. In his first full Championship season, he made 1,399 passes, though 607 were unsuccessful. His long kicking and ability to find teammates have improved throughout his time in England.
Out of possession
, his shot-stopping is his greatest asset. In the 2024-25 season, he recorded 127 saves—42 from outside the box and 85 from inside. His reflexes and positioning have made him a reliable presence between the posts. His performances against Coventry City in April 2025, where he kept the Tigers in a 1-1 draw, earned him widespread praise.
His leadership
is another key quality. He has been described as having “excellent presence and a strong character” by Rangers manager Derek McInnes. His character was evident in his penalty shootout heroics for Verona. He has spoken about his willingness to embrace pressure: “I’ve never run from pressure, from responsibility, all my career.”
His weakness
has been his consistency at the highest level. He has played in Serie A, the Eredivisie, and the Championship but has not yet played in a top European league. His move to Rangers represents a step up in terms of expectation and pressure.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (Career Overview)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Clean Sheets | Save % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | Rijeka | 1. HNL | 18 | — | — |
| 2020-21 | Verona | Serie A | 4 | — | — |
| 2021-22 | Verona | Serie A | 3 | — | — |
| 2022-23 | Fortuna Sittard | Eredivisie | 29 | — | — |
| 2023-24 | Fortuna Sittard | Eredivisie | 16 | — | — |
| 2024-25 | Hull City | Championship | 44 | 10 | 71.4% |
| 2025-26 | Hull City | Championship | 41 | 11 | — |
| TOTAL | — | — | 155+ | — | — |
TABLE B: International Career (as of 2026)
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Croatia U15 | 2 caps |
| Croatia U17 | 4 caps |
| Croatia U18 | 1 cap |
| Croatia U19 | 6 caps |
| Croatia U20 | 2 caps |
| Croatia U21 | 4 caps |
| Senior Caps | — |
TABLE C: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Rijeka Debut | Made professional debut |
| 2020 | Croatian Cup Winner | Won with Rijeka |
| 2020 | Verona Move | Signed for Serie A club |
| 2022 | Fortuna Sittard Loan | Moved to Eredivisie |
| 2024 | Hull City Move | Signed for Championship club |
| 2025 | Player of the Year | Won three Hull awards |
| 2026 | Premier League Promotion | Helped Hull secure promotion |
| 2026 | Rangers Move | Signed for £6m |
| 2026 | World Cup Campaign | Represented Croatia |
What these figures reveal is a player who has steadily improved throughout his career. He has progressed from the Croatian league to Italy, the Netherlands, and the English Championship, winning promotion and individual awards along the way. His 155+ professional appearances and his role in Hull’s promotion campaign underline his importance to every team he has played for.
The Present Tense
The 2026 World Cup was Pandur’s first major tournament. He was named in Zlatko Dalić’s Croatia squad, a reward for his outstanding form at Hull City. His performances in the Championship had earned him a place on the biggest stage, and he was determined to make the most of the opportunity.
His future at club level was secured during the tournament. On June 30, 2026, Rangers announced his signing for a £6 million fee. He signed a four-year deal and will join the Scottish club after the World Cup.
“I am honoured and privileged to sign for such a big club with so much history,” he said. “I can’t wait to hear the noise of Ibrox for the first time and I hope we will be successful together.”
His move to Rangers is a significant step in his career. He will be the first-choice goalkeeper for a club that expects to win trophies and compete in Europe. His experience at the World Cup and his promotion-winning campaign with Hull have prepared him for the challenge.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Pandur is known for his confidence and his willingness to embrace pressure. “I want to test myself at the biggest stage,” he said. “I think Rangers is one of the biggest clubs in Europe, so I want to see how I will handle it because in my mind, I know I’m ready for it.”
He is a proud representative of Croatia, having been capped at every youth level from U15 to U21. His journey from Rijeka to the World Cup is a testament to his hard work and determination.
His family background in Rijeka remains a core part of his identity. He has spoken about the importance of his roots and the support of his family throughout his career.
The Verdict from the Camp
Derek McInnes, Rangers manager:
“We are delighted to bring Ivor to Rangers. He is a goalkeeper with excellent presence and a strong character. He has shown his quality, he is at a good stage of his career, and we believe he can be a commanding figure for the club.”
Ivor Pandur, on his Rangers move:
“I am honoured and privileged to sign for such a big club with so much history. This club knows how to win and that’s exactly why I am joining Rangers.”
Ivor Pandur, on his development:
“I’m much better than I was three or four years ago. I’ve developed quite a lot and there’s still more to come and I think I’m in a perfect place to improve.”
Where Next?
Ivor Pandur is 26 years old and entering his prime. He has just completed a promotion-winning campaign with Hull City, earned a move to Rangers, and represented Croatia at the World Cup. His career has been a steady progression from the Croatian league to the highest level of European football.
His legacy is still being written. He is the goalkeeper who helped Hull City return to the Premier League, who was named Player of the Year in three separate awards, and who has earned a move to one of the biggest clubs in Europe. The journey from Rijeka to the World Cup has been remarkable. The boy who made his debut for his hometown club is now a Rangers goalkeeper and a World Cup player. His best years are still ahead.
