STEVEN Davis has sealed a permanent move to Rangers.

The former Saints midfielder joined the Scottish side on a six-month loan in January, with his contract at St Mary’s running out this summer.

Davis has signed a one-year contract with the club he originally left to join Saints in a £3 million deal back in 2012.

The Northern Ireland captain made 226 appearances during his spell on the south coast, scoring 14 goals in the process.

Speaking to the official Rangers website, Davis said: “I thoroughly enjoyed it [my time at Southampton], and it was a great club to be a part of.

“It was a great place, I felt like I improved as a player on and off the pitch, so I have nothing but good things to say about Southampton.”

Davis will be remembered fondly for the seven years he spent on the south coast which included being the captain for a League Cup final, four top-eight finishes and two Europa League campaigns.

He initially joined Rangers on loan in January after his game time at Saints was restricted to just one Premier League start and two Carabao Cup appearances.

Davis, 34, has played 16 times for Steven Gerrard’s side since his January return and admitted he is thrilled to make the move permanent.

He added: “I am obviously delighted my future has been sorted out.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed, especially in the last couple of weeks, the performances of the team as they have been really good and I think there has been a lot of progress made this season.

“We are disappointed that we didn’t manage to pick up any silverware to this point, but there is a lot to look forward to in the future.

“[To begin with], it was a case of myself and the club getting the initial period out of the way and seeing how everything went as my family are still down south. That has been different, but I am delighted to now get everything signed and sealed.”