Rangers seal Jelavic deal

20 August 2010 22:00

Striker Nikica Jelavic has completed a £4million move to Rangers.

Jelavic visited Glasgow on Friday to undergo a medical and negotiate personal terms.

And the 24-year-old has now sealed his switch from Rapid Vienna to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions.

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.

Weiss arrived on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City yesterday and Jelavic becomes manager Walter Smith's second signing in little more than 24 hours.

With the player's signature secured, Rangers are now waiting on a successful work permit application.

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.

Rangers must also wait to discover if Jelavic is eligible for their Champions League campaign.

If Aston 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. However, if Rapid progress at Villa's expense, Jelavic will not be eligible to play in Europe for his new club.

He is the most-expensive recruit for Rangers since Mikel Arteta joined in 2002.

Source: PA