Rangers expect to finalise the #4.5m transfer of Bert Konterman from Feyenoord tomorrow after negotiations between the two clubs reached an agreement.
But the 29-year-old central defender will not meet up with his new team-mates until pre-season training. Konterman is with the Dutch team in Switzerland and played last night against club side Servette, and he will also be involved in the friendly against Poland on Saturday night in Geneva in the build-up to Euro2000.
''I wanted my future sorted out before these championships begin,'' Konterman revealed last night. ''I am just waiting for the green light from Rangers, knowing this could happen at any time.''
This is in line with the policy stipulated by Dutch national coach Frank Rijkaard, who will not tolerate preparations being disrupted by transfers.
Rijkaard maintained: ''All the players have been told that I do not want agents or club representatives around the team camp in the days leading up to Euro2000 and I am happy to see that certain players are sorting out their futures now.''
Konterman will be the fifth Dutch signing for Dick Advocaat, who got his man at his price. He is confident that he possesses the physical presence to cope with the demands of the SPL and be just as successful as Michael Mols, Gio van Bronckhorst and Arthur Numan.
With Fernando Ricksen also due to arrive next month, captain Lorenzo Amoruso is now expendable and will be sold once he recovers from ankle surgery.
Meanwhile, Stale Stensaas finally ended his disappointing Ibrox career with a #300,000 move to his former club, Rosenborg.
The defender has returned to Norway after resolving a cash wrangle with the Ibrox club over his severance pay.
Rosenborg will pay Rangers #150,000 when Stensaas has played 25 games, with another #150,000 to follow when he hits the 50 mark.
It means a loss of #900,000 for the Ibrox club, but Advocaat will be pleased to offload the hefty wages of a player who has been frozen out since the Dutchman took over two years ago.
Rangers will play four games in five days in Holland to prepare for next season's defence of the SPL and Scottish Cup double. Rangers will have their first outing against German club Bocholt on July 12.
Quick Twente will provide the opposition the following day before games against HZW and Alphense Boys on July 15 and 16 complete the trip.
Striker Jonatan Johansson completed his recovery from serious knee trouble last night by winning a recall to the international set-up. He is one of four Scottish-based players included in the Finland squad for their match against Latvia on Saturday.
Johansson, Rangers team-mate Tero Pentilla, Hearts keeper Antti Niemi, and Mixu Paatelainen, of Hibs, have also been named by new coach Antti Muurinen for the game in Riga.
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