Borna Barisic and John Lundstram explain why Trabzonspor transfer after Rangers exit

Borna Barisic and John Lundstram have moved to explain their decision to join Trabzonspor following their Rangers exits.

The pair opted to call it quits at Ibrox following six and three years respectively at the club. For Lundstram, the move came as a left-field option having had alternatives in England while Barisic had the opportunity to head back home to Croatia. Their time in Glasgow ended on a somewhat sour note having lost the Scottish Cup to Celtic with Lundstram in particular having his last actions being an own goal and red card against the Hoops.

But the scouser admits he's chuffed to be starting a new chapter in his career as he revealed Ridvan Yilmaz's advice about the switch to Turkish football.

"I am incredibly happy, such a warm welcome made me extremely happy," he said. "I can't wait to start. The transfer went very easily. Thanks to Borna, the first call came, he said that the coach and the club liked me. We talked and I said 'let's go there'. I talked to my friend Yılmaz, I had information about the city and the fans before."

Barisic added: "I am incredibly happy. We did not expect such a warm welcome. We are very excited to be here. The transfer process was very easy. It was completed quickly. Because the intention of both parties was for a positive outcome.

"When I received a phone call from Trabzonspor, I signed up here. I said I wanted to wear it, and the process went well. My jersey number is not yet clear."