Rangers confirm Ortiz signing

06 July 2011 14:31
Scottish champions Rangers have confirmed the signing of Spanish midfielder Juan Manuel Ortiz from Almeria for an undisclosed fee.[LNB] The 29-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the Ibrox outfit after successfully passing his medical on Monday, Rangers announced on their website.[LNB]Ortiz becomes the first signing for new Rangers manager Ally McCoist.[LNB]The versatile Ortiz came up through the ranks at Atletico Madrid before making his senior debut in 2002.[LNB]Ortiz only played a handful of first-team games during his time at Atletico and had loan spells at Osasuna and Polideportivo Ejido before moving to Almeria in 2007.[LNB]Ortiz made over 100 appearances for Almeria, who were relegated from the Spanish Primera Division last season.[LNB]During his time at Osasuna, Ortiz played alongside former Gers defender Carlos Cuellar and it was his fellow Spaniard who helped convince him to move to Scotland.[LNB]"When the chance came up to come to Rangers, I spoke to Carlos about it and he had only good things to say," Ortiz said on Rangers' official website.[LNB]"He told me the club is massive and that he was very, very happy here so he told me it was a move I should make."[LNB]Rangers have been in talks with Aston Villa about the possibility of bringing Cuellar back north of the border, and Ortiz hopes the centre-back decides to join him at Ibrox.[LNB]"Carlos is a good player and I know Rangers have been interested in signing him again so it would be good if that happened," added Ortiz.[LNB]"I would be delighted about that. Apart from him being an ex-team-mate of mine, we are friends and he is an excellent player."

Source: Team_Talk