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Barton Signs For Rangers
Written by Newcastle Utd
Joey Barton, the former Newcastle United midfielder, has agreed a two-year deal with Rangers
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
Former Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has completed a move to Rangers.
The 33-year-old will officially join the newly-promoted Scottish Premier League side on 1st July, when his contract with Burnley expires.
Barton played a key role as the Clarets won the Championship title last season but rejected the offer of a new deal at Turf Moor. He has agreed a two-year contract at Ibrox.
The once-capped England international joined Newcastle from Manchester City in 2007 but injuries, suspensions and a jail term limited his appearances and influence in his first two seasons at St. James' Park.
He was in great form in the second half of United's Championship title-winning campaign of 2009/10, though, and carried that into the top flight the following season. But after one controversial incident too many, he was placed on the transfer list in August 2011.
Barton left for Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer a few days later - his final match for Newcastle was the Ryan Taylor-inspired derby win over Sunderland - with then-Managing Director Derek Llambias saying: "We wish to thank Joey for his on-field contributions to the team and we wish him every success for his future."
Speaking to RangersTV about his move to Ibrox, Barton said: "I am so grateful and so happy to finally be a Rangers player, and I am really looking forward to the challenges ahead."