Fleetwood Town boss Joey Barton swoops for ex-Rangers team-mate Jason Holt

Barton has snapped up the central midfielder, 25, on a season-long loan deal from the Scottish Premier League club.

Holt featured 33 times for the Glasgow club last term as Rangers finished third in the SPL.

The midfielder started his career at Hearts before making the switch to Rangers in 2015.

However, this will not be his first taste of English football – Holt ended the 2014-15 season on loan at Sheffield United, when they lost to Swindon in the play-off semi-finals.

Head coach Barton, who played alongside Holt in his short spell at Ibrox in 2016, says he signed the midfielder because of the qualities he witnessed himself and because of his League One experience.

Barton said: “I’m delighted that Jason has joined us here at Fleetwood Town.

“I saw his qualities when I was at Rangers on a daily basis, and as soon as I found out he was available we tried everything to make sure we got him here.

“He’s a great character, a great trainer, and he knows the level after his season with Sheffield United. It’s a huge signing for us.”

Town’s other summer signing, full-back Eddie Clarke, joined the club from Tranmere Rovers before Barton officially took the reins on June 2.