Vidmar agrees to join Rangers

AUSTRALIAN international Tony Vidmar is to join Rangers next season.

The Scottish champions have moved to seal a deal for 26-year-old Vidmar, a versatile defender with Dutch outfit NAC Breda.

Vidmar will join Ranges in the summer and, under the Bosman ruling, will arrive for no fee.

Rangers boss Walter Smith made the out-of-the-blue swoop for Vidmar after watching him in action for Breda last weekend following a recommendation from former Australia coach Eddie Thomson, who is a Scot.

"We have reached agreement with Tony Vidmar over his personal terms and he will join us on July 1st," said Smith. "It is the first time we have done a deal under the Bosman ruling.

"His preferred position is left-back, but he can play at right-back too and on occasions has played in central defence, so I see him as a good addition.

Vidmar, who has 27 caps and will link up with new Australia boss Terry Venables in London next week, cannot wait to start his Rangers career for real after agreeing a four-year contract.

Vidmar, who joins fellow Australian international Craig Moore on the staff at Ibrox, said: "I just saw Craig this morning and he was very positive about Rangers.

"I am delighted to be working here. Really it was the name of the dub Glasgow Rangers which clinched it for me.

"They are a big club in the United Kingdom and they even have a big following in Australia in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide."

German clubs were interested in the player, but Rangers made their move quickly after the January 1st rule, which allows clubs to negotiate with players that are out of contract in other countries.

"Now my future is settled, I can concentrate on finishing the season with Breda and then look forward to coming to Glasgow.

"I'd like to think I am an attacking full-back with good defensive qualities as well."

Smith insisted the arrival of Vidmar, who played against Scotland at Hampden last March, will not affect the future of left-back David Robertson, who himself is out of contract this summer.

Rangers have already opened negotiations to tie up Robertson on a new contract.