Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / RANGERS
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

Thursday, 25 January 2007, 14:28 GMT

Ehiogu completes move to Rangers

Ugo Ehiogu arrives at Rangers' Murray Park training ground Rangers have completed the signing of veteran central defender Ugo Ehiogu from Middlesbrough.

The 34-year-old former England international has signed an 18-month contract after being released from his current deal by the Premiership club.

Ehiogu said: "I'm really pleased to be here, although I'm still taking in my surroundings given the place's size.

"I just want to thank everyone at Middlesbrough for their professionalism in their handling of me."

Ehiogu spent six years with Boro, making 150 appareances, after moving from Aston Villa for £8m.

He won two League Cup winner's medals at Villa under Brian Little and made his England international debut against Italy in 1996.

But, having lost his Boro place, he joined Championship strugglers Leeds United on loan at the end of November and featured six times for Dennis Wise's outfit, scoring once.

"I was not in a position to offer him regular first-team football"
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate

Now he is expected to make his debut in Saturday's Scottish Premier League meeting with Hearts.

"If things had been sorted out sooner, there was even talk of me playing against Dunfermline last Sunday," Ehiogu told Rangers' website.

"But, with technical stuff and a few loose ends that needed to be tied up, it just wasn't possible."

Boro manager Gareth Southgate paid tribute to Ehiogu.

"I have known and played alongside Ugo, both at Aston Villa and Boro, for many years and have the utmost respect for him," said Southgate, who also released midfielder Ray Parlour.

MY SPORT: DEBATE
" "
TB

"Unfortunately, I was not in a position to offer them regular first-team football, so their release gives them a chance to move on."

Ehiogu becomes the second veteran central defender to be signed by Walter Smith since the former Scotland manager took over from Paul Le Guen.

David Weir has already arrived from Everton.

Smith told Rangers World: "He will give us a bit of steel and experience.

"We need a number of players between now and the end of the season, especially as we have European matches coming up too.

"Like Davie Weir, he will help all the younger lads around him."




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Leeds clinch Ehiogu loan signing (23 Nov 06 |  Leeds United )
West Brom end interest in Ehiogu (18 Jan 06 |  Middlesbrough )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Rangers fans' views on My Sport
BBC Where I Live - Scotland
Glasgow weather
BBC Sport SPL
Rangers
Middlesbrough
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©