Rangers agree Diouf loan

Scottish Premier League giants Rangers have confirmed the loan signing of Blackburn’s El Hadji Diouf until the end of the season.

The Senegalese international was delighted with his deal and explained how his experiences playing against Rangers in Australia made the decision an easy one.

“I am very happy to join one of the biggest clubs in the world. This club has a great history. It will be great to wear the shirt and I will do my best,” Diouf told the club’s official website.

“It’s funny because I played against Rangers in the summer in Australia with Blackburn and I was talking about that with my friend Chris Samba and I know it’s a massive thing for me. Rangers are known throughout the world and I want to be a legend here.”

“I was talking with Walter Smith about how many Rangers fans went to watch Rangers in Australia. It just shows the power of the club. I am so excited about this move.”

Diouf says he cannot wait to represent Rangers in Sunday’s Old Firm derby against Celtic, despite the fact he is likely to be jeered by Celtic fans after spitting on one while he was playing for Liverpool in 2003.

“I know all about the big rivalry between the two clubs. I have seen many Rangers-Celtic games because a few of my friends have played for Rangers like Amdy Faye, Jean-Alain Boumsong and Fabrice Fernandes,” he said.

“Every one of them always said great things about the club in the past and I always remembered.”

A managerial change at Blackburn, which saw Sam Allardyce replaced by Steve Kean, meant Diouf was on the outer at Ewood Park and he spoke about how he would love to make his temporary switch to Glasgow permanent.

“I was doing well at Blackburn under Sam Allardyce and I think I was playing the best football of my Rovers career but then he left and things changed.”

“I am a loyal guy and I liked Sam and things were not working for me so when this chance came up I grabbed it. I know this is only a loan move but I would love to make it permanent. I need a change and this is great for me.”

Diouf’s signing was not the only work Rangers did on a busy transfer deadline day, with the club also securing the services of Arsenal’s Kyle Bartley on loan, just days after they signed striker David Healy on a free transfer.

There were also two departures on deadline day, with striker James Beattie leaving on loan to Premier League outfit Blackpool while fellow forward Andrius Velicka was released.