Rangers have confirmed the signing of striker Dado Prso from Champions League finalists Monaco for next season. The 29-year-old Croatia international has signed a three-year deal with the Ibrox club.
A statement on the club's official website, www.rangers.co.uk, said: "Rangers FC can confirm the signature of Dado Prso from Monaco. The player has signed a three-year contract commencing season 2004-2005. Rangers maintain the arrival of Prso, who is currently nursing a broken toe, is an indication that they are prepared to fight to regain the Bank of Scotland Premier League title from Celtic next season."
Monaco will contest the Champions League final against Porto in Gelsenkirchen on May 26 after defeating Chelsea and Real Madrid in the semi and quarter-finals respectively. The Monte Carlo club are still battling with Lyon and Paris St Germain for the French title and Prso is set to play in Euro 2004 for Croatia against England and France in the group stages.
Manager Alex McLeish said: "I have watched Prso many times this season. He is very direct as a striker and he has a great presence which is just what we need. I'm absolutely delighted to have secured a player of his calibre."
But Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has launched a broadside at the player for speaking to the Glasgow giants after appearing to agree to move to the Reebok Stadium six weeks ago.
Allardyce told the club's official website, www.bwfc.co.uk: "We've been chasing Dado Prso for a while and we managed to keep it quiet for the last eight weeks. I'll be very sad if he didn't join us after he agreed terms six weeks ago. But I suppose, if Rangers have come in for him, and he went to them, I'd be extremely disappointed in more ways than one. I can't believe after what we agreed that he'll turn us down. That might be the measure of the man. We might not be quite big enough for him just yet."
Prso will officially join Rangers when the players return for pre-season training in July.
Filed by Barry J Whyte
