Jordan Thompson signs with boyhood heroes Rangers

JORDAN Thompson, a young central midfielder who was released by Manchester United at the end of the season, has signed a two-year deal with Rangers.

Jordan Thompson has said it will be a 'dream come true' to run out at Ibrox for Rangers. Picture: rangers.co.uk

The 18-year-old from Northern Ireland, a Rangers fan, was initially acquired as an academy signing, but immediately impressed manager Mark Warburton.

Thompson, who spent four years in the youth set-up at United, has been training with the Ibrox first team and travelled to London to play in their training game with Tottenham Hotspur on Friday.

“It was brilliant to travel down to London with the first team, and I got the last half-hour and did quite well with them,” he told Rangers TV. “It was a brilliant feeling signing my contract – I’ve been over for a match before with my dad, but it was just amazing to sign. To run out at Ibrox would be a dream come true being a Rangers fan – it would leave me speechless.

“For the first few days I was training with the under-20s, and then I was training with the first team. Ian Durrant [under-20 coach] and Craig Mulholland [head of academy] came over to have a chat with me in Belfast at the end of last season to let me know they were interested. Then there was a scout from Northern Ireland, who got in contact with my mum about two weeks ago, then I came over on trial and I must have done well.

“There were a few other clubs that I was on trial at, but when I came to Rangers I really enjoyed it. Craig said to me that he had heard about me and had heard good things, and I did well in Ian Durrant’s team when I first arrived, so I was then shown round to the first-team wing and hopefully I can stay there.

“I’m very creative within the middle of the park. I can tackle and make a good pass, and, hopefully, I can show fans that over the next few seasons.”

Rangers are also continuing to assess Andy Halliday and Jason Holt as they look to win deals.

Former Livingston, Middlesbrough and Bradford winger Halliday, 23, who is a free agent, started a closed-doors friendly against Ayr United last night. Midfielder Holt, who is available for a development fee from Hearts, came on after half-time.