Former Huddersfield Town players Matt Crooks and Josh Windass will be learning from one of the best at Rangers next season.
That’s because the Glasgow giants have confirmed the signing of Joey Barton, after the former England midfielder successfully passed a medical.
The 33-year-old will officially join the club on July 1 after penning a initial two-year deal.
Barton was a free agent after leaving Skybet Championship winners Burnley.
The Clarets had offered the former Manchester City, Newcastle and QPR battler a new 12-month contract but he was won over by Gers boss Mark Warburton and his promise of longer-term security.
Mel Booth talks about what Matt Crooks will bring to Rangers
Town academy products Crooks and Windass signed pre-contract agreements at Ibrox back in January, since when Rangers have sealed promotion back to Scotland’s top tier.
Midfielder Crooks and striker Windass, both 22, have thrived in East Lancashire after the disappointment of being released by Town.
Huddersfield-born Crooks left in early 2014 and signed a permanent deal at Accrington after playing there on loan.
A versatile operator who is currently recovering from an ankle operation, he made 53 appearances for the club, scoring eight times.
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He played just one first-team match for Town – the 4-0 home defeat by AFC Bournemouth on the opening day of last season.
Windass, the son of former Hull City, Bradford City and Aberdeen striker Dean, has netted 17 times this season.
His overall Accrington statistics since he joined them after leaving Town without a first-team appearance to his name in the summer of 2013 are 23 goals in 87 games (66 starts).
