By Me
July 23 2005

Sotirios Kyrgiakos has rejected a contract, worth a potential £1 million a year, to join Rangers on a permanent basis. This came as a shock, as the Greek was expected to sign a permanent deal with the Scottish Champions, after spending the second half of last season on loan from Panathinaikos. The reason being to why the defender did not sign the contract offered is relatively unclear although it appears that the negotiation over the contract were 'complicated'. Upon hearing the news of the contract rejection, chairman David Murray appeared surprised "Keeping in mind we signed him in the knowledge that he had undergone recent surgery and were taking a bit of a gamble on his fitness and availability since January, we are surprised the way things have turned out." he said.

The 26 year old went to the Scottish Giants to replace Jean-Alain Boumsong, who left for Newcastle United in January. Now Murray will be forced to look elsewhere. "This is the end of the matter as far as we are concerned," he said.

Although, it seems that the Greek international had no better offer from anywhere else in Europe. Although, Premiership club Bolton's boss, Sam Allardyce, admitted that at one point, he was keeping an eye on the situation...