Caz
9th May 2007, 06:51 PM
Rangers boss Walter Smith believes Jean-Claude Darcheville's goals can ensure Dado Prso's departure is not felt next season.
The French striker snubbed the chance to live among the multi-millionaires of Monte Carlo by signing up for the Light Blues in a deal announced on Wednesday.
Manager Smith was delighted to have signed the player nicknamed 'The Rocket', who will join on a two-year contract at the end of the French season.
Darcheville first came to the attention of Rangers when Alex McLeish was in charge, and he was also being targeted by Monaco for a summer move.
After sealing the 31-year-old's free transfer, Smith said: "We are delighted to have signed Jean-Claude."
Popular Croatian Prso will leave Rangers this summer, after the 32-year-old accepted he would not fully recover from persistent knee trouble.
That news came as a shuddering blow to Smith, who was keen for Prso to play on, but Rangers are thrilled to have landed another experienced striker.
Rangers have benefited from having Prso at the club for three years, but they are determined his exit will not leave a gaping hole in their squad.
Smith said: "With Dado Prso leaving, we said that we were looking to bring in some player to strengthen the front area.
"And we feel we have been quick to do so by agreeing the deal to bring Jean-Claude here.
"There were a number of other clubs interested in him and Bordeaux wanted him to sign a new deal so we are pleased that we will have his talents for the next two seasons."
Darcheville was a Nottingham Forest flop when he spent the 1998-99 season at the City Ground.
But he had experienced the personal tragedy of losing his girlfriend in a car crash shortly before moving to England.
During his short spell at Forest, Darcheville played several games in tandem with former Celtic striker Pierre van Hooijdonk and also in the same side as Scotland midfielder Nigel Quashie.
Since returning to France with Lorient and, more recently, Bordeaux, the French Guyana-born frontman has made up for lost time.
Bordeaux are currently third in the French Ligue 1, level on points with second-placed Lens.
Next season will be the second in a row that Rangers invest considerable trust in a Frenchman, but after Paul Le Guen's spell as manager proved short-lived, the club expect Darcheville to fare considerably better.
He becomes Rangers' third signing for next season, after deals were struck for Falkirk forward Alan Gow and St Mirren defender Kirk Broadfoot.
He may not be the last forward to arrive as manager Walter Smith rebuilds his squad, in anticipation of rivalling Celtic for next season's domestic honours and making Champions League headway.
Rangers had been expected to target a striker with an aerial threat to compensate for Prso's departure, and at 5ft 8in Darcheville does not fit that bill.
However he has the quality to succeed, and unlike a previous recruit from France, World Cup winner Stephane Guivarc'h, is full of pace and energy.
Bordeaux club message boards were flooded with notes of support for Darcheville after Rangers confirmed his exit, reflecting his popularity with the south-western side.
He is Bordeaux's top scorer with seven goals in 17 league starts this season, and has hit 49 goals since joining from Lorient in 2002.
The French striker snubbed the chance to live among the multi-millionaires of Monte Carlo by signing up for the Light Blues in a deal announced on Wednesday.
Manager Smith was delighted to have signed the player nicknamed 'The Rocket', who will join on a two-year contract at the end of the French season.
Darcheville first came to the attention of Rangers when Alex McLeish was in charge, and he was also being targeted by Monaco for a summer move.
After sealing the 31-year-old's free transfer, Smith said: "We are delighted to have signed Jean-Claude."
Popular Croatian Prso will leave Rangers this summer, after the 32-year-old accepted he would not fully recover from persistent knee trouble.
That news came as a shuddering blow to Smith, who was keen for Prso to play on, but Rangers are thrilled to have landed another experienced striker.
Rangers have benefited from having Prso at the club for three years, but they are determined his exit will not leave a gaping hole in their squad.
Smith said: "With Dado Prso leaving, we said that we were looking to bring in some player to strengthen the front area.
"And we feel we have been quick to do so by agreeing the deal to bring Jean-Claude here.
"There were a number of other clubs interested in him and Bordeaux wanted him to sign a new deal so we are pleased that we will have his talents for the next two seasons."
Darcheville was a Nottingham Forest flop when he spent the 1998-99 season at the City Ground.
But he had experienced the personal tragedy of losing his girlfriend in a car crash shortly before moving to England.
During his short spell at Forest, Darcheville played several games in tandem with former Celtic striker Pierre van Hooijdonk and also in the same side as Scotland midfielder Nigel Quashie.
Since returning to France with Lorient and, more recently, Bordeaux, the French Guyana-born frontman has made up for lost time.
Bordeaux are currently third in the French Ligue 1, level on points with second-placed Lens.
Next season will be the second in a row that Rangers invest considerable trust in a Frenchman, but after Paul Le Guen's spell as manager proved short-lived, the club expect Darcheville to fare considerably better.
He becomes Rangers' third signing for next season, after deals were struck for Falkirk forward Alan Gow and St Mirren defender Kirk Broadfoot.
He may not be the last forward to arrive as manager Walter Smith rebuilds his squad, in anticipation of rivalling Celtic for next season's domestic honours and making Champions League headway.
Rangers had been expected to target a striker with an aerial threat to compensate for Prso's departure, and at 5ft 8in Darcheville does not fit that bill.
However he has the quality to succeed, and unlike a previous recruit from France, World Cup winner Stephane Guivarc'h, is full of pace and energy.
Bordeaux club message boards were flooded with notes of support for Darcheville after Rangers confirmed his exit, reflecting his popularity with the south-western side.
He is Bordeaux's top scorer with seven goals in 17 league starts this season, and has hit 49 goals since joining from Lorient in 2002.