Ricksen leaves Rangers for Russia
Wednesday, 9 August 2006 16:02Rangers have agreed to loan defender Fernando Ricksen to Zenit St Petersburg for one year.
The 30-year-old will fly out to Russia where he will link up with former Ibrox manager Dick Advocaat.
The deal for the Holland international is now subject to a medical and the player agreeing personal terms.
Current Rangers boss Paul Le Guen has told the Dutchman it would be better for him to find a new club after an incident involving a flight attendant en route to Johannesburg last month.
Ricksen was immediately sent home from the club's pre-season training camp in South Africa.
On his return to Glasgow, the former AZ Alkmaar player sought residential counselling at the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire for anger management issues
Now Advocaat, who paid £3.75million to bring the player to Ibrox in 2000, has called on the services of the defender on a temporary deal.
Rangers will also play host to the Russian club in a friendly on August 23 as part of the deal.
A Rangers statement said: 'Rangers Football Club can confirm that they have agreed a one-year loan deal for Fernando Ricksen with FC Zenit St Petersburg.
'As part of this agreement, it is proposed to have a friendly match at Ibrox Stadium with Dick Advocaat's team on Wednesday, August 23.
'The agreement is subject to the player passing a medical and personal terms being agreed, which hopefully will be done by the end of this week.'
