JERMAIN DEFOE hopes he can write his name in the Ibrox history books after clinching a loan switch to Rangers and being reunited with former England team-mate Steven Gerrard.
The striker became the first arrival of the window for the Light Blues when he penned an 18-month loan deal from Bournemouth over the weekend and he has joined up with the Gers at their training base in Tenerife.
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The move for Defoe is a significant coup for boss Gerrard and the former West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham star is relishing the chance to fire Rangers to silverware success this season.
Defoe said: “I am extremely happy, there has been a lot of talk and I remember seeing things in the summer over social media and people were coming up to me and saying “Are you coming to Rangers?”
“This was before there has even been any contact so to actually be here now I am delighted.
“This is a massive football club and a good opportunity. This is another league for me and I am really looking forward to it.
“I wanted to come here for obvious reasons; I have always known it is a massive football club.
“The history of the club, as players those of the sorts of clubs you want to play for and do well at. You want to be part of the history if you can.
“It was an easy decision to be honest; if you love your football like me and you get an opportunity like this it is hard to turn it down.
“I have been in the Premier League for so long and it is always nice to have a different challenge.
“Sometimes you can, not get comfortable, but you are in your comfort zone there and sometimes it is nice to get away from that and just try and find that fire again, set targets and have a different challenge.
READ MORE: Write off a silverware hungry Jermain Defoe at your peril, says Rangers boss Steven Gerrard
“Winning trophies was another draw, especially how well the lads have done since Stevie has been in.
“I mentioned before being a part of the history and doing something special here, that would be amazing to be involved in.”
Defoe has struggled for match action in recent months after falling behind the likes of Callum Wilson and Joshua King in the Cherries pecking order.
Boss Gerrard has spoken of his delight at clinching a deal for the 36-year-old and Defoe is enthusiastic about the chance to link-up with the Liverpool legend once again.
“Steven had a big influence because he is an ex-teammate and someone I have always admired and respected,” he told RangersTV.
“He is a young manager and his enthusiasm is amazing. He wants to do well and like me he wants to be part of the history of Rangers and create something special.
“But even before Steven I have known the size of this club and the support, they are special football fans.
“It might be a little bit strange having him as my manager; I had it a little bit with Eddie Howe because I was at loan at Bournemouth when I was really young but only for a few months.
“With this it will probably be a lot different, my time with England with Stevie was good and we now just have to get on with it, do the best we can and try and build something positive for the team.”
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