Rangers win race to sign former Sunderland captain Dan Neil - 'I need that in my career'

The 24-year-old midfielder joins as a free agent following his departure from the Stadium of Light, where he has spent his entire career apart from a loan spell at Ipswich Town last season.

Neil made over 200 senior appearances for the Black Cats and secured back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League. He has signed a three-year deal at Ibrox and will wear the number six jersey.

The Scotsman first reported in May that Rangers would rekindle their transfer interest in Neil this summer after making a bid for him in January under former boss Danny Rohl.

Rangers faced strong competition for the former England youth international, who held advanced talks with Championship club Southampton last week, but he favoured a move to Glasgow.

Neil becomes Rangers' fifth new summer signing following the arrivals of striker Lawrence Shankland, right-back Ross McCrorie, defender Ben Godfrey and goalkeeper Ivor Pandur.

Speaking to RangersTV, Neil said: “It is a new chapter for myself, and I am really excited to be signing for Rangers. I’m really looking forward to what the next few years can bring.

“I have played for Sunderland for a number of years and the weight and expectation of the fans to win every week and the feeling of it making or breaking people’s weekends is something that drives me.

“I’ve spoken to many people who have been here, and they said it's a very similar feeling, and as a character and a person that really drives me to give 110 per cent day in and day out, and I need that in my career.”

Rangers manager Derek McInnes said he was "absolutely delighted" with his latest new arrival.

"He will be an excellent addition to our squad," McInnes added. "He is a technically gifted midfielder who is strong in possession, can contribute goals and brings tremendous energy to the team.

"At 24, we are signing a player who is hungry and ambitious, but who already possesses significant experience and leadership qualities, having captained Sunderland to promotion to the Premier League in 2025.

"I'm really looking forward to working with Dan throughout pre-season as we prepare for the challenges ahead."