Lassana Coulibaly joins Gerrard's Rangers

Malian midfielder Lassana Coulibaly will join Glasgow Rangers from French top-flight side Angers on a season-long loan, both clubs confirmed on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old, who is under contract with the French side until June 2021, will be coached by the new Rangers’ coach, Steven Gerrard.

The Malian is Gerrard’s eight signing of the summer.

Coulibaly was worried it was all a prank

Talking to Rangers TV, the midfielder said he was worried he was the victim of a prank call when Gerrard phoned him to discuss a move to Rangers.

"He asked me if I wanted to join his team, and I said yes, although I was worried it wasn't actually Gerrard (on the phone)!" the Malian said.

"He (Gerrard) can help me to develop my football. When he was at Liverpool, I grew up watching him.

"Rangers is a good team, I'd heard the name before Gerrard came in here. I don't watch the league, but I know about Celtic and Rangers in Scotland."

Coulibaly has made nine appearances for Mali. Last season, he played 20 Ligue 1 games (8 starts) and scored one goal for Angers.

He now joins veteran goalkeeper Allan McGregor, full-back Jon Flanagan, centre-backs Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic, midfielders Scott Arfield and Ovie Ejaria, and winger Jamie Murphy in joining Rangers.