Rangers sign former Hearts goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin

Scotland international quits Sunderland to pen two-year deal at Ibrox

Jon McLaughlin in action for Scotland.

Rangers have signed former Hearts goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin.

The 32-year-old Scotland international has signed a two-year-deal after deciding to leave Sunderland.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard said: “Jon is a vastly experienced professional who will add strength and depth to our squad.

“He is here to compete for the number one shirt and will add much needed competition for places. He was involved in play-offs with Sunderland and will thrive on the pressurised environment at Ibrox.

“His experience in the SPFL will stand by him as he continues to fight for a place in the Scotland squad.”

McLaughlin has spent the last two seasons at Sunderland in England’s third tier. Before that, he spent a season at Hearts where his form earned him international recognition.

Ross Wilson, Rangers’ sporting director, said the new arrival would provide competition for Allan McGregor, the club’s first-choice keeper.

“Jon joins Rangers with excellent experience,” Wilson said. “For the past seven seasons he has been present in almost every game, displaying a huge consistency of performance that is so important for a Rangers goalkeeper.

“He will provide strong competition to the outstanding Allan McGregor and we know that Jon’s character, personality and professionalism will be important for the group for at least the next two years.”

McLaughlin told the Rangers website: “It’s a very proud moment for myself and for the family. It is great to be back up here in Scotland and we are very proud to have made the deal happen and I am really looking forward to now getting back to football and starting my next chapter here with an amazing football club.

“Knowing the club already, and what a massive club it is and what a huge opportunity it could be, and speaking with the manager and his staff, and knowing the vision and the direction they have got, and what they are trying to achieve here, and the opportunity to be a part of that and hopefully be a part of something special here was what sold it to me.”