Rangers sign striker Beattie from Stoke

Scottish champions Rangers signed former England striker James Beattie from Stoke City on Friday.

Beattie had travelled to Glasgow for talks with Rangers chief executive and manager Walter Smith on Thursday and is due to be officially unveiled at a press conference later on Friday.

The 32-year-old former Blackburn player had been out of favour with Stoke manager Tony Pulis since midway through last season following a reported dressing room row between the pair.

He has signed a two-year contract, with a further one-year option, after moving for an undisclosed fee and is Smith’s first signing since Maurice Edu arrived at the cash-strapped Ibrox club two years ago.

Beattie will go straight into the Rangers’ squad for Saturday’s league opener against Kilmarnock.

“Rangers have signed James Beattie on a two-year contract, with an option for a third, from Stoke City for an undisclosed fee,” a statement on the club’s website confirmed.