Happy to be at Ibrox: Rangers' new signing, Swedish defender Joachim Bjorklund, takes in his new surroundings. Picture: JEFF MITCHELL
RANGERS yesterday completed the #2m signing of Swedish international player Joachim Bjorklund from Italian club Vicenza, and it ended a long chase for Ibrox manager Walter Smith.
``He was recommended to us two seasons ago when he was with Gothenburg, but we just missed out then. He has had a good season in Italy and I'm delighted to have signed him now. At 25 he is a solid professional - a player who can influence the team,'' said Smith.
Bjorklund, who has been capped 44 times by Sweden, played in the World Cup finals in the United States in 1994 and, after sorting out some personal business in Italy, will join up with his new colleagues on July 15.
Said Bjorklund: ``I only heard of Rangers interest last week, but I took only a couple of days to decide that they were the club for me. I'm sure I won't have any regrets.
``I don't know much about Scottish football, but I've heard all about the Old Firm of Rangers and Celtic and I want to play a part in helping my new club equal Celtic's record of nine successive championships.
``Rangers have some outstanding players, such as Brian Laudrup, Richard Gough, Ally McCoist and Paul Gascoigne, and I'm looking forward to teaming up with them.
``I'm an adaptable player, but prefer to play in the centre of the defence.
``I have no problems with my fitness, because I have been training in Italy right up until the end of June. Now I'm heading back to Sweden and will then go back to Italy to tie up a few things, but I will be back to join Rangers on their pre-season trip to Denmark. I regard Rangers as one of the top six clubs in Europe. This is going to be a big challenge for me and it is one I am looking forward to.''
He believes he has become a better player with his season in Italy. ``You are playing good opposition every week and it helps you improve your overall game,'' he explained.
Meantime another Rangers player, Peter van Vossen, is a #500,000 target for Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem.
Vitesse are coached by Leo Beenhakker - van Vossen's boss in Turkey - and Van Vossen has failed to hold down a regular place at Ibrox since his #2 million swap deal from Istanbulspor.
Beenhakker will bid to bring van Vossen to Holland, if Ajax buy their star player.
Vitesse Arnhem's spokesman Shuurt Geurts said: ``There is a definite possibility in van Vossen returning to Holland and we are very interested.
``I think it will depend If we can collect money from Ajax, who are trying to buy our winger Roy Makaay.''
Van Vossen came to Rangers from Turkey in a swap deal for Russian Oleg Salenko.
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