Former Rangers CFO James Taylor joins West Ham as ex-Ibrox connections grow

James Taylor has joined West Ham United as Chief Financial Officer, subject to the usual approvals, just weeks after leaving Rangers, adding another former Ibrox executive to the Hammers' hierarchy.

Taylor confirmed the move on LinkedIn, revealing that he was attracted by the size of the club, the support behind West Ham and the opportunity to help the recently relegated side return to where he believes it belongs.

The appointment also reunites Taylor with two familiar faces from his time at Rangers in Nils Koppen and Karim Virani.

“It’s also great to be working with Nils Koppen and Karim Virani again,” Taylor said.

“I know the standards both set and how they operate when the pressure is on, and that was a significant part of the decision.”

James Taylor finds post-Ibrox EPL role

Taylor spent just under three years at Rangers, playing a key role in the club's financial operation during a period of significant change at Ibrox.

Rangers confirmed on July 1 that Taylor was stepping down as CFO by mutual agreement, with the club saying it was the right time for him to pursue new opportunities.

His departure came after Rangers had recorded significant financial progress during his tenure. In November, Taylor said the club had generated record revenue of more than £94million, reduced its cost base and recorded a pre-player-trading profit of £2.7million.

Rangers connection in London

Now, Taylor is heading to a West Ham operation that already has substantial Rangers connections.

Koppen, formerly Rangers' Director of Football Recruitment, is now working alongside Taylor again, while Virani, who previously served as Rangers' Chief Commercial Officer, is West Ham's interim CEO.

The three were part of the Rangers executive structure following James Bisgrove's departure in 2024, with Koppen, Taylor and Virani all holding senior positions at Ibrox.

West Ham set for Scottish signings

That existing relationship could prove particularly significant with West Ham linked with a number of players from Scottish football.

Rangers midfielder Connor Barron has been linked with a move to the London club, while Hibernian’s Josh Mulligan has also emerged as a reported target.

There is also a Celtic connection, with Arne Engels reportedly set to join West Ham today following the Iron’s relegation from the English Premier League.

The concentration of Scottish football connections at West Ham is therefore striking.

Taylor will not be involved in football recruitment in the same capacity as Koppen, and there is no suggestion that his appointment itself means Rangers players will move to London.

However, his knowledge of Rangers' finances, squad structure and players adds another individual to the West Ham hierarchy with extensive first-hand experience of the Ibrox operation.

It is also notable that Rangers hosted West Ham in a pre-season friendly at Ibrox on July 26, with the fixture arranged before Taylor's new appointment was announced.

With Barron and Mulligan reportedly on the radar, while Engels is expected to arrive from Celtic, the Hammers' growing links with Scottish football could become one of the more intriguing stories of the transfer window.