Rangers confirm signing of Joey Barton on two-year deal

Rangers' newest signing Joey Barton is unveiled to the press at Murray Park. Picture: SNS

The 33-year-old will officially join the club on July 1 after penning a initial two-year deal.

Barton was a free agent after leaving Sky Bet Championship winners Burnley.

The Clarets had offered the former Manchester City, Newcastle and QPR battler a new 12-month contract but he was won over by Gers boss Mark Warburton and his promise of longer-term security.

It became clear Barton was heading to Ibrox on Monday after he sent a pair of cryptic tweets containing lyrics from songs popular with the Light Blues faithful.

He then travelled north the following day for a medical at the club’s Auchenhowie training base before thrashing out the final details of his contract.

Barton - who was given a guided tour of the facility and Ibrox by Warburton during a flying visit to Glasgow last week - took to Twitter to confirm his exit from Turf Moor.

Paying tribute to the Clarets faithful, he said: “Thanks to all the Burnley fans and everyone connected to the club. Amazing support this year that will live with me for a lifetime.

“Toughest decision of my professional life to leave an amazing set of people and a phenomenal culture behind.

“Club is in a great place on and off the pitch with great custodians at the helm. Thanks again for the opportunity to represent your club.

“I was presented with an opportunity and challenge the competitive animal in me just could not turn down. Onwards and upwards now.”

Barton had hoped his move north would signal a return to European action but has not been put off joining the Gers despite seeing their Europa League hopes evaporate with Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Hibernian in the final of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

He now becomes Rangers’ fourth summer signing, joining Accrington pair Josh Windass and Matt Crooks as well as former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Rossiter.

Warburton will see the signing as a major coup as he prepares to do battle with Celtic and their new manager Brendan Rodgers next term.

Barton was named Burnley’s club player of the year as he helped lead Sean Dyche’s side back to England’s top division as Sky Bet Championship winners.

Meanwhile, Warburton has told midfielder Nicky Law and forwards Nicky Clark and David Templeton their time is up at Ibrox.

Templeton cost former boss Ally McCoist around £700,000 when he arrived from Hearts at the end of the 2012 summer transfer window but the winger has never fulfilled his Tynecastle potential and leaves having made just 84 appearances in his four years at the club.

Law joined 12 months after Templeton after an impressive spell with Motherwell and leaves with a League One, Championship and Petrofac Training Cup winners medal, as does former Queen of the South striker Clark.

He signed at the same time as Law and went on to net 23 goals in 102 appearances.

A club statement said: “Everyone at Rangers wishes all three players every success in their future careers, and thanks them for their efforts during their time at the club.”