Rangers seal McCulloch
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ByEurosport
Published 11/07/2007 at 22:01 GMT
Rangers have completed the £2.25million signing of Scotland international Lee McCulloch sealing his switch from Wigan. McCulloch has signed a four-year contract at Ibrox, six months after Rangers manager Walter Smith first tried to bring him to the club.
FOOTBALL Lee McCulloch wigan athletic
Image credit: Imago
Wigan dismissed an offer of £750,000 from Rangers in January, but Smith continued to pursue the move for a player who began his career as a forward at Motherwell but has since reverted to an attacking midfield role.
McCulloch has signed in time to join Rangers on their pre-season trip to Germany, which begins on Thursday.
Rangers defender Ugo Ehiogu described McCulloch as "another great addition who should strengthen the side and puts us in a much better position than we were in last year."
Ehiogu said: "He can score goals from midfield and he puts a shift in, so I think he'll fit in well."
McCulloch follows Kirk Broadfoot, Alan Gow, Graeme Smith, DaMarcus Beasley, Jean-Claude Darcheville, Carlos Cuellar and Roy Carroll into Rangers this summer.
Andy Webster has also extended his loan from Wigan until January, with Rangers strengthening in every department.
Carroll is a former Wigan team-mate of McCulloch, and said: "I think he's improved as a player.
"I've played against him a few times, he's strong as well. That's what you need in the Premiership and up in the SPL that's what you want, a big strong player."
Rangers are still thought to be seeking another striker before starting their Champions League campaign on July 31, with 20-year-old Steven Naismith top of their list despite Kilmarnock knocking back four bids for their star man.
Former Motherwell player McCulloch is capable of playing as a striker and joined Wigan for £700,000 in 2001 as a frontman, however he has spent much of his Latics career as an attacking midfielder.
He helped them climb two tiers from League One to their current Scottish Premier League status, and should give Rangers an increased attacking threat from midfield, a department in which Smith's squad is now well stocked with players.
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