Saturday 12 November 2016 14:15, UK
Rangers have announced that they have agreed to terminate the contract of midfielder Joey Barton with immediate effect.
A statement on the club's website read: "Rangers and Joey Barton have agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect. Neither Rangers nor Joey Barton will comment further."
Despite this statement, soon after the announcement Barton tweeted: "I'd like to thank the supporters of Rangers for their incredible support during my time at the club. Wish you all the best for the future."
The 34-year-old signed a two-year contract with Rangers in May and he has not played since early September when he was banned for breaching club discipline.
He returned to training last Thursday after spending more than a month out suspended but was immediately signed off again with "stress" and has not been seen at the training ground.
It is understood that Barton was told to train with the youth team after the club said that "special arrangements" would be made.
Barton was banished from the club following a row with team-mate Andy Halliday and manager Mark Warburton in the wake of their 5-1 Scottish Premiership defeat to Celtic on September 10.
He was then investigated and subsequently charged for breaking Scottish FA betting rules, allegedly placing bets on 44 matches between July 1 and September 15, 2016.
The former Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers player made eight appearances for the Glasgow club after signing on a free transfer from Burnley.
