Rangers have announced the pre-contract signing of Bournemouth defender Jack Simpson.
The 24-year-old will move to Ibrox in the summer after signing his deal, although Rangers could look to bring him in during January.
Sporting director Ross Wilson insists he and Steven Gerrard have been keen to sign Simpson for a long time and jumped at the opportunity when his contract was running down.
Rangers first tried to sign Simpson during Gerrard's first season at the club but plumped for the loan signing of Joe Worrall from Nottingham Forest instead.
Simpson is the second player to agree a pre-contract move in recent days with Scott Wright also set to join in the summer from Aberdeen.
And Wilson said: “Jack is a player that Steven (Gerrard) and I have discussed a number of times in recent months.
"We are always looking at how we can improve and Jack fits the profile that we are looking to add as we develop and move the squad forward again.
“His contractual situation at Bournemouth provided a natural and attractive moment for us to pursue Jack’s signature. It has been well publicised that he has been a much-coveted player south of the border but from our first discussion with Jack, we could see how the opportunity to join Rangers was one that was very appealing to him.
“The situation with pre contract negotiations is never an easy one and I extend my thanks to Richard Hughes, my counterpart at Bournemouth, for how he has handled our interest in Jack.”
