LEW BEAUTY AS TILLMAN SIGNS
having an exclusive option to buy the attacking midfielder outright next summer.
Bayern have reluctantly allowed Tillman to leave but are understood to have inserted a buy-back clause in his contract if he makes the full-time switch to Scotland.
Tillman had a host of clubs across the continent on his tail – but was sold on a move to Ibrox by manager Gio van Bronckhorst’s vision of competing for silverware on these shores and taking a crack at the Champions League.
The playmaker – who was born in Germany – completed his medical yesterday and will hook up with his new Rangers team-mates preparing to face Blackpool at Bloomfield Road in their latest pre-season run
out today.
Tillman is hugely regarded in Germany and was close to breaking into the Bundesliga champions’ first team before a knee injury set him back.
And he revealed personal coaching sessions with Bayern legend Lewandowski helped hone his game – and he can play in a variety of roles in the attack.
Tillman said: “Lewy’s numbers speak for themselves. You can learn a lot from him. For example, his ambition and his professionalism. He always gives 100 per cent and he has also helped a young player like me in my development.
“Outside of Bayern, I like to watch Paul Pogba. I really like his style of play and I also learn a thing or two from him. I still have a long way to go to make it as a player and I still have to work on myself a lot.
“I changed from being a midfielder to a striker when I was coached by Miroslav Klose. Basically, I’m versatile. I prefer to play as a No.10 but I will play where the coach needs me.”
Last night after he was confirmed as van Bronckhorst’s fifth signing of the summer, subject to international clearance, a delighted Tillman said: “I am really excited to sign for Rangers and I’m looking forward to getting started.
“It is a new challenge for me at a huge club with fantastic supporters and I can’t wait for the season ahead.”
The Ibrox boss added: “I am very pleased to welcome Malik to our squad.
“He is an exciting young talent who will further add to our attacking options and myself and the coaching staff are looking forward to working with him.”
Tillman joins fellow new arrivals John Souttar, Antonio Colak, Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo at Auchenhowie while club chiefs get braced for a bidding war for Calvin Bassey – with Brighton and Ajax preparing to fight it out for the £25million-rated Nigeria star.
Van Bronckhorst is ready to move if he does lose the former Leicester kid but Tillman has been tipped to make a huge impact by Bayern Munich boss Julien Nagelsmann.
He said: “He’s a highly talented player. He has unbelievable qualities when it comes to scoring goals. He has the gift of being able to make space for himself.
“There are aspects of his game he can improve. But I predict a great future for him. Malik is a player who’ll make his mark in the game.”
Tillman was capped by Germany U21s before switching to the US and is looking to blast his way into the squad for Qatar.