Source: Team_Talk
Jelavic completes Gers switch
Rangers have signed Croatia international striker Nikica Jelavic from Rapid Vienna for £4million.[LNB] Jelavic visited Glasgow on Friday to undergo a medical and negotiate personal terms.[LNB]And the 24-year-old has now sealed his switch from Rapid Vienna to the Scottish Premier League champions.[LNB]Jelavic's move to Ibrox appeared close when he refused to play for Rapid Vienna in the Europa League play-off against Aston Villa.[LNB]And the Croatian, who has agreed a four-year contract, has now become Rangers' third summer signing following the captures of James Beattie and Vladimir Weiss.[LNB]Weiss arrived on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City on Thursday and Jelavic becomes manager Walter Smith's second signing in little more than 24 hours.[LNB]Earlier on Friday, Smith revealed a deal was imminent after tracking the player all summer.[LNB]He said: "It's been quite a protracted one. There has been a few hitches and (chief executive) Martin Bain has had to work extremely hard to get that one over the line.[LNB]"We will hopefully do that this afternoon and fingers crossed that's the case.[LNB]"The player over that time has always said that he would like to join us and hopefully that can be completed this afternoon."[LNB]With the player's signature secured, Rangers are now waiting on a successful work permit application.[LNB]Jelavic will not be part of the Rangers squad for Sunday's clash with Hibernian at Easter Road, but it is hoped he will be available to make his debut at Ibrox against St Johnstone on August 28.[LNB]Rangers must also wait to discover if Jelavic is eligible for their Champions League campaign.[LNB]If Villa, who drew the first leg of the Europa League play-off in Austria 1-1, eliminate Rapid then Jelavic will be free to play.[LNB]However, if Rapid progress at Villa's expense, Jelavic will not be eligible to play in Europe for his new club.[LNB]He is the most-expensive recruit for Rangers since Mikel Arteta joined in 2002.[LNB]On Friday night, Jelavic said he hoped to match the achievements of his countryman and fellow striker Dado Prso, who became a huge favourite of the Rangers supporters during a three-year spell which ended with his retirement due to injury in 2007.[LNB]Jelavic told the club website: "I know Dado was a huge favourite of the Rangers fans and if I come even close to him then it will be good.[LNB]"I want to try to copy what Dado Prso achieved here.[LNB]"I spoke to Dado and he told me, 'Look if you have a chance to go to Rangers it is something unbelievable and you must go'.[LNB]"I am glad this whole saga with me, Rapid and Rangers is over and I have signed a four-year contract.[LNB]"Lots of things have happened in the last month or so regarding this transfer but I don't want to think about that now. I only want to concentrate on my future with Rangers."[LNB]Jelavic scored three times for Rapid in two Europa League group matches against Celtic last season.[LNB]He added: "I scored three times against Celtic but I had no idea then that I would come to Rangers. But it was something great to score at Parkhead and then score twice back in Vienna.[LNB]"I know the rivalry and I know that Rangers have won the title more than they have."
