Besiktas president Ahmet Nur Cebi wanted Ridvan Yilmaz to stay in Turkey, but he couldn't bear to destroy the 21-year-old's dream move to Ibrox.

The move netted the Istanbul side £3.4m up front with add-ons to come that could take the transfer to around £5m.

A deal with Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt had already fallen through earlier in the summer when Rangers came calling with a significant offer.

And the left-back was keen to follow his dreams and play in Scotland.

He told TRT: "Even though I wanted him to continue with us, he incredibly wanted to go.

"I couldn't bear to say 'No'. 

"We opened the way for Ridvan, albeit unwillingly.

"We raised him, we left the way for his dreams."

The full-back is waiting for his work permit to come through before completing his transfer to Ibrox, a process that is believed to be a formality.