Born in Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Tarragona, Catalonia, Rangel represented CD Tortosa, CF Reus Deportiu, Girona FC, UE Sant Andreu and Terrassa FC in his homeland, never in higher than Segunda División B. In summer 2007, he signed for Swansea City in the English League One on a one-year performance-related deal, for an undisclosed fee – countryman Roberto Martínez was the team's manager.

In his first season, Rangel played a massive role as the Swans returned to the Championship after a 24-year absence, as league champions.
He scored his first goal for them on 27 November 2007, netting eight minutes from time in a 1–0 home win against Hartlepool United; only two weeks later, again at the Liberty Stadium, he netted in a 3–0 success over Southend United and, in April 2008, he was one of five team players to make the PFA League One Team of the Year alongside Ferrie Bodde, Garry Monk, Andy Robinson and the league's top scorer Jason Scotland.

On 5 September 2008, Rangel signed a new contract until June 2010.
He continued to feature prominently in the following years and, in mid-February 2010, agreed to an extension until June 2011.

The 2010–11 campaign was a successful one for both Swansea and Rangel, as the former were promoted to the Premier League for the first time in their history following a 4–2 victory over Reading in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.
In spite of missing several weeks early on with a thigh muscle tear, he contributed to the feat with two goals from 41 appearances, scoring at Doncaster Rovers in a 1–1 draw and at home to Millwall which also ended in a 1–1 draw; in late June 2011, he put pen to paper to a new three-year deal.

In November 2011, Rangel was voted best defender in the Premier League.
He played 34 matches during the season, helping the team retain their league status.

Rangel scored his first goal in the English top flight on 25 August 2012, in a 3–0 home win against West Ham United.
On 8 March 2013, he signed a new contract with Swansea, keeping him at the club until 2016.

On 19 April 2015, one month after again extending his link, now until 2017, Rangel was selected in The Football Manager Team of the Decade at the Football League Awards.
On 14 November 2017, he was named as club captain after Leon Britton stepped down to become a player-assistant manager.

Rangel was released by Swansea at the end of the 2017–18 campaign.
Born in Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Tarragona, Catalonia, Rangel represented CD Tortosa, CF Reus Deportiu, Girona FC, UE Sant Andreu and Terrassa FC in his homeland, never in higher than Segunda División B. In summer 2007, he signed for Swansea City in the English League One on a one-year performance-related deal, for an undisclosed fee – countryman Roberto Martínez was the team's manager.
In his first season, Rangel played a massive role as the Swans returned to the Championship after a 24-year absence, as league champions. He scored his first goal for them on 27 November 2007, netting eight minutes from time in a 1–0 home win against Hartlepool United; only two weeks later, again at the Liberty Stadium, he netted in a 3–0 success over Southend United and, in April 2008, he was one of five team players to make the PFA League One Team of the Year alongside Ferrie Bodde, Garry Monk, Andy Robinson and the league's top scorer Jason Scotland.
On 5 September 2008, Rangel signed a new contract until June 2010. He continued to feature prominently in the following years and, in mid-February 2010, agreed to an extension until June 2011.
The 2010–11 campaign was a successful one for both Swansea and Rangel, as the former were promoted to the Premier League for the first time in their history following a 4–2 victory over Reading in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium. In spite of missing several weeks early on with a thigh muscle tear, he contributed to the feat with two goals from 41 appearances, scoring at Doncaster Rovers in a 1–1 draw and at home to Millwall which also ended in a 1–1 draw; in late June 2011, he put pen to paper to a new three-year deal.
In November 2011, Rangel was voted best defender in the Premier League. He played 34 matches during the season, helping the team retain their league status.
Rangel scored his first goal in the English top flight on 25 August 2012, in a 3–0 home win against West Ham United. On 8 March 2013, he signed a new contract with Swansea, keeping him at the club until 2016.
On 19 April 2015, one month after again extending his link, now until 2017, Rangel was selected in The Football Manager Team of the Decade at the Football League Awards. On 14 November 2017, he was named as club captain after Leon Britton stepped down to become a player-assistant manager.
Rangel was released by Swansea at the end of the 2017–18 campaign.
Àngel Rangel