Ferguson signing boosts Blackburn
Friday, August 29, 2003
Article summary
Blackburn Rovers FC have won the race to sign Rangers FC captain Barry Ferguson in a €10.8m deal.
Article body
Desire to test himself
Ferguson, 25, made clear his desire to leave the Scottish Premier League to test himself further in the Premiership and Rangers reluctantly granted the transfer request. Having had three previous offers rejected by the Rangers board, Blackburn succeeded on Friday, outbidding Premiership rivals Everton FC.
Treble winner
The Scotland vice-captain has been at Rangers since he was 12 and led the team to a domestic treble last season. He also helped Alex McLeish's side into the UEFA Champions League this term, playing in the 2-1 win over FC København in the third qualifying round on Wednesday - his final game for the club he supported as a boy.
'A top, top player'
Blackburn manager Graeme Souness told the club's website: "I would go so far as to say that this is the most exciting signing I have ever made. I believe Barry Ferguson has the ability to become a top, top player in the English Premiership." Ferguson will, however, be ineligible for Rovers' UEFA Cup campaign having competed in European competition this season with Rangers.
