PASSION PLAY

Sterling: Beale’s will-to-win sold me on Rangers

DUJON STERLING has vowed to do everything in his power to win silverware with Rangers after signing a four-year deal with the Ibrox club.

The 23-year-old defender, who came through the Chelsea youth academy, will join on a free transfer on July 1. Sportsmail understands that Rangers are also working on a deal to sign former England goalkeeper Jack Butland as Michael Beale’s summer rebuild gathers pace.

Having spent last season on loan at Stoke City in the Championship, Sterling revealed that the lure of European football and the chance of winning trophies at Ibrox was too good to turn down.

‘I am really excited to come to such a big club. There’s a lot of history and the supporters are so passionate, so I am thrilled,’ he said. ‘I wasn’t expecting to make my mind up about my future this quickly, but the gaffer came in for me straight away

and what he proposed to me was everything that I believe I need.

‘We were on the same wavelength. He believes in me and I believe in what he is trying to do as well, so it was a no-brainer for me to come.

‘I had a lot of clubs in for me as I was going into free agency as well. But I knew straight away after he gave me his proposal, what he wants to do, and as soon as I left the meeting, I said I was signing here.

‘How much passion he has to win, how much he wants to see players succeed and how much he believes in my ability and wants everyone on the same page — that is important, especially if you want to be winning titles.

‘I have seen players in the past come and show their worth. But for me, right now, it is about being somewhere where I feel I can call my home. It feels like I am one of the first steps in a rebuild, should I say. So I know I am an important piece as well and everyone is making me feel like I am important, which is good.

‘I love Stoke and would probably have went back. But if you get a chance to play European football so early in your career, you have to take it.

‘I can finally have a proper pre-season with a team and get to know them before the season starts.’

A versatile operator who can play rightback or in central defence, Sterling was capped all the way up to Under-20s level with England. He made two senior appearances with Chelsea, but spent the last few years out on loan at Coventry, Wigan, Blackpool and, latterly, Stoke.

He becomes Rangers’ second summer signing after midfielder

Crystal Palace, could well be next in line to join the Beale rebuild, while Rangers are also keen on Ecuador international midfielder Jose Cifuentes.

Speaking about the signing of Sterling, Ibrox boss Beale (left) said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Dujon to Rangers. He is an exciting young player who, I’m sure, will be a great addition to our squad.

‘He is someone I was aware of from my time at Chelsea, and I have always kept an eye on his career as it has progressed.

‘He is a very powerful and strong defender, who has fantastic attacking qualities and I look forward to working with him.’