Rangers have confirmed the signing of striker James Beattie from Stoke City.

The Ibrox club have called a media conference this afternoon where they will unveil the 32-year-old.

The former Blackburn forward travelled to Glasgow yesterday for talks with Rangers chief executive and manager Walter Smith.

Beattie was this afternoon at Murray Park putting his signature to a two-year contract, with a further one-year option, after moving for an undisclosed fee.

The Englishman is Walter Smith's first signing since Maurice Edu arrived at Ibrox two years ago.