Former Manchester City, QPR and Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton looks set for his first adventure in Scotland after making the move from Burnley to Rangers.
The 33-year-old, who also enjoyed a spell with Ligue 1 side Marseille, was given a contract offer by the newly promoted Clarets but had his heart set on Ibrox where he faces the tantalising prospect of an Old Firm derby with Celtic.
Here, Football.co.uk takes a look at some notable footballing moments from the combative midfielder's career so far.
1) Player of the Year
Despite the rollercoaster ride in the Sky Bet Championship, Burnley were eventually promoted as champions. Barton made 38 league appearances and provided the impetus from midfield. His performances earned him the club's Player of the Year prize, no mean feat considering the Clarets also boasted 24-goal man Andre Gray.
2) He's got form
Burnley are not the first club Barton has won promotion with. He helped both QPR and Newcastle achieve that feat. In 2010, Barton helped Newcastle to the Championship title, while in 2014, QPR saw off Derby in the play-off final at Wembley.
3) He's got form - part two
Not one to shy away from battles - ball optional - Barton was sent off in the dying minutes of the final day fixture against Manchester City in May 2012. The red card came for an elbow on Carlos Tevez, but Barton was not finished. A minor brawl with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Mario Balotelli ensured Barton would be retrospectively given a significant ban. He ended up leaving QPR for a loan spell with Marseille.
4) Allez L'OM
Barton joined Marseille in August 2012, and aside from his attempts at the French accent, his first goal was one to remember. In November 2012, Barton scored directly from a corner to give Marseille a 1-0 lead in their Europa League group stage match against Borussia Monchengladbach. Marseille, in fact, led 2-0 but were pegged back to 2-2.
5) When one door closes.
Aged 16, Barton had been hoping to progress up the ranks at Everton. According to his own website, Barton had been in the same age group as current Toffees captain Phil Jagielka. However, a change in academy management resulted in his exit, he claimed he was deemed "too small to make it as a midfielder". Barton adds that on the same day of his Everton rejection, he was offered a start at Manchester City. He went on to make 130 Premier League appearances for the Citizens.
6) Who needs enemies?
In 2007, Barton became involved in a training ground fight with his then-Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo. The result, or so Barton claims, of a few heavy tackles flying around as the team prepared for the Manchester derby. The fight left French international Dabo with a detached retina. Barton was given a four-month suspended prison sentence for the assault, while also fined and banned for six matches as well as ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service.
Source: PA-WIRE
