JAMIE MURPHY says that there is no place like home after sealing a permanent move to boyhood club Rangers from Brighton and Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal yesterday.
The Scotland internationalist spent the second half of last season on loan at Ibrox from the AMEX Stadium, and described pulling on the light blue jersey as a dream come true.
And while the season ultimately ended as something of a nightmare for the team as a whole, Murphy is over the moon to have committed his future to Rangers, and is looking forward to what he hopes are brighter times ahead for the Glasgow giants under new manager Steven Gerrard.
Read more: Return of Allan McGregor a ‘great move’ for Rangers, says Sasa Papac
“I’m delighted to make my move to Rangers permanent,” Murphy told the Rangers website. “This club means a lot to me and it already feels like home.
“Whilst I’m naturally disappointed we didn’t complete the objectives that we set for ourselves last season, I am more determined than ever to help this club to be a success.
“With the new manager in place, two new signings confirmed already and an exciting summer to follow, I can’t wait to get started on the next chapter of my Rangers career.”
Murphy was one of the bright spots of an otherwise underwhelming close to the season for the Ibrox men, scoring five times in 19 appearances and proving a consistent danger to opposition sides from the left flank.
He began his career at Motherwell, coming through the ranks at Fir Park before a move to Sheffield United in January 2013. He then joined Brighton in the summer of 2015, and was part of the Seagulls squad who went on to win promotion to the Premier League in 2017.
He found first-team opportunities hard to come by in the English top-flight though, paving the way for his move to Rangers.
With Scott Arfield and Allan McGregor already arriving this summer, new Ibrox boss Gerrard is happy with the feel-good factor around the club at present.
Read more: Return of Allan McGregor a ‘great move’ for Rangers, says Sasa Papac
And he believes that he can wring even more out of 28-year-old Murphy next season, with plenty of improvement still left in the former Fir Park man.
“It’s more good news for the club that Jamie has committed his future to us ahead of the new campaign,” said Gerrard.
“He had an impressive start to his Rangers career in the second half of last season and we hope to see him continue to grow at the club next season and beyond.”
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