Rangers academy product Rory Wilson has been the subject of transfer interest at his current employers Aston Villa, with clubs in England, as well as across Europe, monitoring his progress.
The 20-year old striker spent eight years in the Rangers youth ranks before his Villa Park switch in 2022 for around £350,000. After featuring for their academy, Wilson signed his first professional contract with the Villans in January 2023. Last season, he was sent out on loan to Austrian side Sturm Graz for the remainder of the season, where he made four first team appearances.
Wilson spent the second half of last season on loan at Sturm Graz.placeholder image
Wilson spent the second half of last season on loan at Sturm Graz. | Getty Images
English clubs make ‘enquiries’ over Wilson
Now back in Birmingham, the Scotland Under-21 international has become the subject of transfer interest from a ‘number’ of lower league English sides, only 16 months after signing a new deal at Villa Park. Scandinavian sides are also in the hunt.
According to prominent transfer journalist Pete O’Rourke: “A number of League One clubs have made enquiries about loan deal for Aston Villa forward Rory Wilson. Villa have also had enquiries from Danish Superliga and Allsvenskan clubs after HamKam tried earlier in window for the Scotland attacker.”
Wilson spent eight years in the Rangers youth setup.placeholder image
Wilson spent eight years in the Rangers youth setup. | Getty Images
Interest emerges for player with ‘undoubted potential’
Wilson put pen to paper on a new deal in April 2025, when Villa Academy Manager Mark Harrison was ‘delighted’ he found a pathway into the first team. He said of the striker: "‘We are delighted to have agreed a new contract with Rory. He has obviously got a proven track record of scoring goals at Academy level and we firmly believe that this will continue at senior level.
“Rory has always been very committed to his development and has shown that consistently throughout his time with us. He has undoubted potential, so we look forward to supporting him into transitioning into a first team player at Aston Villa FC."
Former Scotland Under 17s Coach Brian McLaughlin was also a big admirer of Wilson’s. In 2022 he said: “He is a clever player, his touch is good, his attitude is superb and his finishing .. for a young boy to be able to finish the way he can finish, just clinical and calm in front of goals. He knows he is always going to get a chance because his movement gives him that.”