Rangers take Bartley on loan

31 January 2011 22:30

Rangers announced the signing of 20-year-old Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley as they attempted to wrap up another deal for Blackburn player El Hadji-Diouf.

Bartley will arrive in Glasgow on Wednesday but Rangers completed the paperwork on the deal and announced his signing just over an hour before the transfer window closed.

Rangers were understood to be negotiating over a move for Diouf as the deadline loomed after manager Walter Smith allowed James Beattie to join Blackpool on loan.

The former Bolton and Sunderland player has made 21 appearances this season but Rovers are willing to offload him after signing Argentinian midfielder Mauro Formica.

Diouf was fined £5,000 on a previous visit to Glasgow when he admitted spitting at a Celtic fan during a UEFA Cup tie against Liverpool in 2003.

The Senegal international appeared at the city's sheriff court following the incident at Parkhead during Celtic's run to the final.

Left-sided defender Bartley has played one game for Arsenal, a Champions League clash against Olympiakos, but has played 37 times for Sheffield United during two loan spells.

Source: PA