Hemdani opts for Rangers
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Article summary
Scottish champions Rangers FC have signed Olympique de Marseille captain Brahim Hemdani on a free transfer.
Article body
McLeish target
The versatile 27-year-old, able to play in defence or midfield, has been a target of Rangers manager Alex McLeish since leading Marseille to the 2004 UEFA Cup final and arrives at Ibrox on a free transfer having turned down offers from Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Real Betis Balompié. Rangers chairman David Murray said: "We have had a huge fight from Bayer Leverkusen and Real Betis over the weekend but Brahim wants to be part of our club and we're delighted."
August start
Rangers, who pipped Celtic FC to win their world-record 51st title on the final day of the season, also signed Scottish international Ian Murray from Hibernian FC last week. They will enter the Champions League in the third qualifying round in the second week of August, with the draw to be made on 29 July in Nyon.