Ritchie ties up Ibrox move

Ritchie spent the end of last season with Bolton

Scotland international Paul Ritchie has completed his move to Rangers.

The former Hearts defender sealed the move after coming through a medical.

Ritchie saw out the end of the season with Bolton and played in the FA Cup, Worthington Cup and play-off semi-finals.

He has since had a double hernia operation, but that did not hamper a four-year deal being struck.

David Murray: Concluded deal

"The hernia is all sorted out and I will be back in training just in time for the pre-season," said Ritchie.

Rangers chairman David Murray expressed his pleasure at having finally completed the signing of Ritchie.

"Paul is a player we have been keen on for some time and we are glad to have finally have got him and I believe he will be a very useful addition to our squad next season," he said.

The 24-year-old from Kirkcaldy admitted the challenge for places at Ibrox is one he is looking forward to.

"I'm really looking forward to it. It will be very difficult but it is a challenge I'm ready for," he said.

'Good to be back'

"It will be good to be back in the Premier League and playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe in the Champions League as well.

"It is something which will be very different and I won't be used to because it is a massive squad with internationals all over the place.

"Hopefully my game will benefit and Rangers will benefit from Paul Ritchie as well."

Ritchie joins fellow newcomer, Dutch international Bert Konterman who has joined Rangers for £4.5m from Feyenoord.

Konterman: New addition

David Murray suggested that there would be more additions to the Ibrox squad before the start of the coming season.

"It's up to the manager who stays and goes now but that won't be the last new face we will see here next season," he added.

"The manager will continue to look at players and we will be trying to bring them to Glasgow, but we don't necessarily need to offload players to subsidise new signings.

"Don't forget, we have sold a lot of players anyway and we need a big squad for next season so there's no need to sell anyone."

New Laudrup

Rangers are also thought to be interested in bringing young Dane, Peter Løvenkrands, to Ibrox.

The 20-year-old striker is being touted as the new Brian Laudrup in his home country, where he plays for AB in Copenhagen.

He is to have talks with Rangers chairman David Murray on Wednesday after flying into Edinburgh.

"It's far too early to say but we will know more in the next couple of days after talking with his club and the player's representatives," said the chairman.

"But there is a lot of interest in the player from Europe and England. He is a player I would like to see here but that depends on the figures quoted."