Joey Barton: 'I could not turn Rangers down'

Joey Barton has conceded that the "competitive animal" within convinced him to join Rangers.

The out-of-contract midfielder was offered a new deal by Burnley, having helped the Clarets to return to the Premier League as winners of the Championship last term.

However, despite conceding that it was a tough decision to walk away from Turf Moor, the 33-year-old revealed that the lure of Ibrox proved too strong.

"Thanks to all the Burnley fans and everyone connected to the club. Amazing support this year that will live with me for a lifetime," he wrote on Twitter.

"Toughest decision of my professional life to leave an amazing set of people and a phenomenal culture behind. Club is in a great place on and off the pitch with great custodians at the helm.

"I was presented with an opportunity and challenge the competitive animal in me just could not turn down. Onwards and upwards now."

The one-capped England international is believed to already be in Glasgow, where he is undergoing a medical.