FIFA last night gave four former Rangers players – Kyle Lafferty, Steven Whittaker, Steven Naismith and Jamie Ness – permission to join new clubs, granting provisional international clearance for their transfers.

Clearance was initially withheld by the SFA after an objection from the Ibrox newco, following the players' refusal to have their contracts transferred across after the sale of Rangers' assets to Charles Green's consortium.

However, Whittaker is now free to play for Norwich City, Naismith for Everton, Lafferty for FC Sion in Switzerland and Ness for Stoke City. Steven Davis's move to Southampton has yet to be ratified.

A number of Ibrox players, following advice from their union, PFA Scotland, turned down the chance to transfer their contracts from Rangers to new owners Sevco.

Green rejects the claim that the players are free agents and sent letters to clubs across the UK warning them that the players who objected to the switch were in breach of contract.

The association to which the players are affiliated can request temporary registration from FIFA to allow a player to play during the period of arbitration.

Margaret Gribbon, of Bridge Litigation, the solicitor acting for PFA Scotland solicitor, said: "I can confirm that Jamie Ness has been granted provisional clearance from FIFA. I am delighted about that and expect all other applications pending before FIFA to take the same course."

The SFA later confirmed provisional clearance had also been granted to Ness's three former team-mates.