Buzzing Zak Lovelace says he can't wait to kick on at Rangers after sealing his long-awaited transfer from Millwall.
Record Sport first reported the 16-year-old was heading to Ibrox having already made his first-team breakthrough down south despite his tender years. Lions boss Gary Rowett took aim at the "outside influences" surrounding the move while the club themselves released a statement citing their "frustrations" at how it panned out.
Millwall were desperate to keep Lovelace and had planned on handing him an increased first-team role next season. But he snubbed a new deal and instead has headed to Glasgow, where he will initially go into Gio van Bronckhorst 's B-team and attempt work his way into the senior side.
Speaking for the first time as a Rangers player, Lovelace says he can't wait for the "next chapter" in his career. Posting on Instagram, he offered his thanks to Millwall for his three years there that saw him rapidly ascend from Under-13 football to the first team in the English Championship.
He said: "I am happy to finally announce my signing for Rangers. I want to first thank Millwall for all their efforts and time they have put into me. It’s been a very good three seasons from playing U13 to getting my first team debut. However I have decided to start a new chapter at Rangers and to continue progressing in my development."
Capped by England at Under-16 level, Lovelace already has four senior appearances to his name having been used off the bench by Rowett last season. He was handed 19 minutes of action against Middlesbrough in a 0-0 draw back in March but hadn't played since with a dispute over his contract ongoing.
He made his debut against Coventry back in December at just 15 years old and became the club's second youngest ever player in the process. He arrives to replace Rory Wilson, who just joined Aston Villa, and will be hoping for a similar fast-track emergence in Glasgow.
