Blues seal deal for Gers battler Barry

Premier League new boys Birmingham City have completed the signing of Barry Ferguson from Rangers for an initial fee of £1.25million.

Ferguson has accepted a two-year contract with Blues, with the option of another 12 months, after passing a medical at St Andrews.

The 31-year-old midfielder had been widely expected to leave Ibrox over the summer after losing the Gers captaincy following the infamous alcohol-related incident on Scotland duty in the spring.

He has now taken on the challenge of a second stab at English football having previously spent a largely unsuccessful 18 months with Blackburn Rovers.

The midfielder also becomes the latest in a long line of new recruits for Birmingham following the club's promotion from the Championship.

Blues boss Alex McLeish has been strengthening all areas of his squad and had particularly been keen to bring in an experienced midfielder in the Ferguson mould.

Ferguson's former Gers team-mate Nacho Novo has paid tribute to the player, who made over 400 appearances during his two stints at the club.

Novo told the club's official website: "Well he's a legend, isn't he? He is one of the best players I have ever been lucky enough to play with.

"Barry is a big personality and he's a worker. He has always helped everybody here and he's a person I've always got on very well with.

"We will miss him here. I am sure that he will do well there."