GERS ACE SIGNS DEAL WITH GERMAN SIDE

Bates and switch as a Light Blue ace Dave signs deal for German side

DAVID BATES admits his move to Hamburger SV was too good an opportunity to turn down after he agreed a shock deal with the Bundesliga outfit.

The defender has put pen to paper on a fouryear contract with Die Rothosen and will make the switch to Germany at the end of the campaign.

Bates was out of contract at Ibrox this summer and has rejected an extension to his Light Blues deal as he gets set to start the next stage of his career on the continent.

He said: “After a whirlwind 48 hours I am absolutely delighted to have my future sorted.

“Like Rangers, HSV are an iconic club with tremendous history and all the pressures that come with that.

“They have given me a lot of faith in their recruitment and I can’t wait to kick on and develop further as a player. It was an opportunity I don’t think anyone would turn down.

“I’d like to thank all the fans, staff and board for the last two years. Hopefully I can get back fit

enough to help in some way to finish as high as possible.”

HSV are currently 17th in the German top flight and are in danger of dropping into Bundesliga II for the first time in their history.

But they have started their planning for next term by signing up Bates and scouting director Johannes Spors said: “David brings in the combination of height, speed, mentality and accountability features for the defensive that the HSV will be good for sure.

“He is a down-toearth guy who wants to actively develop his career and work hard for it.”