Rangers confirm Kevin Thomson's £2m move to Middlesborough

The 25-year-old (pictured) had less than 12 months to run on his deal at Ibrox and the Scottish champions have opted to cash in.

A statement on the club's official website, www.rangers.co.uk, read: "As he was entering the final year of his contract, we felt the offer was good for both the player and the club."

The 25-year-old becomes Boro's fourth signing in less than two weeks after signing a four-year contract on Teesside.

It also increases the Scottish contingent at the Riverside with boss Gordon Strachan having also snapped up Kris Boyd from Rangers plus Scott McDonald, Barry Robson, Stephen McManus and Willo Flood from his former club Celtic.

Strachan told www.mfc.co.uk: "Kevin knows the game and he's got great determination about him, very much in the Robbo (Barry Robson) mould.

"He's also a more disciplined player than most but he isn't just a sitting midfielder.

He's a very good passer, he retains the ball well and he scored some important goals in Scotland. He's an excellent signing."

Edinburgh-born Thomson won five major trophies with Rangers including back-to-back Scottish Premier League titles in 2009 and 2010, while he was also a big part of their run to the 2008 UEFA Cup final.

Rangers team-mate Steven Whittaker expressed his sadness at Thomson's departure and says he will be missed by the Scottish champions.

Both players came through the youth ranks together at Hibernian before winning their respective moves to Ibrox.

Whittaker told www.rangers.co.uk: "Everyone at the club will wish Kevin well.

"He is taking care of his own career and felt the move was right for him.

"He's going to be a big miss for Rangers but it's part of football now that teams change with players coming in and others leaving.

"As professional footballers we get used to that but Kevin's a good friend of mine as well as being an excellent player.

"We travelled in together every day so my petrol expenses will be going up!

"But his company was good coming in from Edinburgh so I will definitely miss him in that respect."

Whittaker added: "There are always replacements and players waiting to step in and get a chance in the team.

"We have numbers for that position and while we would like Kevin to still be at the club his departure will give another player the opportunity to come in."

Meanwhile, Rangers will look elsewhere for new personnel following Chris Eagles' decision to reject a move to Ibrox.

Rangers agreed a fee with Burnley for the 24-year-old winger but the transfer collapsed over personal terms.

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain said: "We agreed a fee with Burnley for winger Chris Eagles and he visited Ibrox and Murray Park, but his wage demands were such that they would not be met by the club.

"It is disappointing we were not able to agree terms with the player, who received a good offer, and we will now look elsewhere.

"I have stated already that we recognise the squad requires fresh faces but the transfer window closes in August and we will take our time to decide on the best way of utilising the resources we have."