Rangers boss Alex McLeish has raided Ligue 1 again to snap up Julien Rodriguez.
Rangers boss Alex McLeish has raided Ligue 1 again to snap up Monaco defender Julien Rodriguez.McLeish has already brought Jose-Karl Pierre-Fanfan and Danny N'Guessan over from France this summer and has now added Rodriguez to his squad.
Reports of Rangers' interest in the 27-year-old emerged earlier this week and that has quickly been firmed up by the Scottish champions.
Rodriguez has signed a four-year contract with The Gers, and is available for the SPL tie with Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.
In enticing Rodriguez to Ibrox, Rangers have fended off competition from Portsmouth and CSKA Moscow for the centre half.
It had appeared that Rangers would have to wait to conclude the signing of Rodriguez after Monaco revealed they would not sanction his exit until after their UEFA Champions League qualifier with Real Betis.
Instead, Rodriguez will be playing for Rangers in Europe's elite competition and could feature in next week's third round, first leg qualifier against Anorthosis Famagusta.
Gers boss McLeish described his delight at concluding a deal for the experienced stopper, and insisted he would prove to be a valuable member of the squad.
"I'm delighted we have signed Julien. He has a wealth of experience which is something we need to aid the aspirations of the club," McLeish told the club's official website."He will undoubtedly strengthen the squad. Needless to say the French market is very well known to me and I have followed the player for a period of time."
Upon completing his move to the Glasgow giants, Rodriguez revealed that he had a special regard for the Ibrox fans and was aiming to satisfy their lust for glory.
"I have experienced the Ibrox atmosphere when I was here in 1999 and it was something special. I was on the bench with Dado and we both remember it being incredible," said Rodriguez.
"I am delighted to be here now as a Rangers player and I can't wait to start training with my new team-mates tomorrow.
"I know that Rangers are a very big club and I can't wait to be part of this club. I want to win as much as I can here."
