ZAK RUDDEN has completed his move to Partick Thistle from Rangers after signing a two-and-a-half-year deal at Firhill.

The 19-year-old spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Plymourth Argyle in England's League Two before Thistle signed the striker for a nominal fee.

Rudden spent last season on loan at Falkirk, scoring 12 Championship goals as the club finished bottom of Scotland's second tier.

The new signing told the club's media channel, Jagzone: "I’m delighted to be here. It took a wee while but now that I’m here I’m buzzing to get going.

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"The gaffer was one of the biggest things for me [joining Thistle]. I like the way that Ayr played last year so that was a big factor. Thistle are a big club with great fans so that’s a big factor too.

"Hopefully I can get back up and running with my goal tally. The first six months [of this season] at Plymouth wasn’t very good but hopefully now I can kick on and get back to scoring goals.

"I’m a striker that likes to get in behind, get around the box and score goals.

"I’m going to be a sponge to every player in there. They are experienced players that have done it at the top level so I’ll be listening and learning."

Jags manager Ian McCall was delighted to get the deal over the line, telling the club's website: "We are thrilled to add Zak permanently to the squad.

"There were many other clubs interested in signing him so we are delighted that Zak has chosen Partick Thistle to continue his career. There is a lot of improvement in Zak and we are looking forward to working with him on the training pitch.

The Herald:

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"I think he is a player that will excite our supporters and they will love seeing him wearing red and yellow on the pitch.

"I’d like to thank Ross Wilson and everyone at Rangers for their help in getting the deal done. It is a deal which suits both Partick Thistle and Rangers as well as the player."

Rudden is Thistle's second signing of the transfer window after midfielder Darian MacKinnon was brought in from Hamilton earlier this week, while pre-contract agreements have been reached with Ayr United's Ross Docherty and Queen of the South's Darren Brownlie.

Stuart Bannigan and James Penrice have also signed contract extensions at Firhill this month, and Reece Cole's loan from Brentford was extended until the end of the current campaign.