RANGERS are set to complete the signing of American international James Sands as Giovanni van Bronckhorst makes his first move of the January transfer window.

Sands has agreed terms on an 18-month loan deal that will see him arrive from Major League Soccer outfit New York City FC and Rangers will have an option to make the switch permanent.

The American international is poised to jet into Glasgow to finalise his transfer after Rangers fended off competition for his signature from Europe to reach an agreement in recent days.

Sands was part of the City side that former Celtic boss Ronny Deila guided to MLS Cup play-off success last month and he will now head to Glasgow to aid the champions’ Premiership title defence this term.

The 21-year-old is able to operate at right-back and centre-back but has been identified as a midfield option for Van Bronckhorst and has not been recruited as a replacement for Nathan Patterson following his record-breaking move to Everton on Tuesday.

Van Bronckhorst remains in the market for further reinforcements during the remainder of the January window but Sands is the priority at present as he prepares to undergo a medical and put pen-to-paper at Ibrox.