16 June 2023 , 14:30
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Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield has rejected the chance to move to the Championship in order to head to MLS side Charlotte FC.
The veteran star played in England for eight years, turning out for Huddersfield Town before moving to Burnley, where he played three campaigns in the Premier League. However, he is now ready to swap continents after a successful five-year stay at Ibrox, where he scored 43 times in 233 appearances and won the SPL title in 2021, after manager Michael Beale decided against renewing his contract.
The Canadian international had been linked with a move to Hearts as well as teams south of the border but has opted for a switch to Charlotte FC, according to Sky Sports. The MLS summer transfer window officially opens on July 4 and so it is likely that the move will officially be completed next month.
He will be reunited with former Turf Moor stalwart Ashley Westwood at the club, with the defensive midfielder having already joined the fledgling franchise back in January. The pair played together under Sean Dyche in Lancashire and will team up once again stateside, with the 34-year-old Arfield set to sign a two year deal.
The departing Rangers ace may have consulted the advice of his ex-teammate in picking his next club, with Westwood having spoken highly of the league and the franchise in the past. Westwood told Daily Express US : "I came and did the medical in December, had a look around the place, the stadium is unbelievable.
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"We've got a new training centre that's going to be done soon, which is top of the top of the top. The facilities here, the way America did in the World Cup, the sport is growing massively in the US.
He continued: "I truly believe MLS can rival Europe. Some of the owners, it's ridiculous. You see it here at the stadium, I know we share it with the Panthers but there are still Charlotte FC banners everywhere, it's incredible."
Ashley Westwood swapped Burnley for MLS side Charlotte FC in January and could be reunited with a former teammate. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images) (Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)Arfield will also come up against former Gers teammate James Sands, who spent last season on loan at Ibrox from parent club New York City FC. On top of this, the veteran star could also line up against superstar Lionel Messi, who has announced his impending move to Inter Miami later this summer.
Charlotte FC was only set up in 2022 but the club has made some steady progress in that time, finishing ninth in its first season in the Eastern Conference. They currently sit in tenth place in the standings this time around, level on points with Montreal in the final play off place.
The creative midfielder has previously spoken of his desire to keep playing until the age of 40 and had expressed his openness to a potentially move away from the SPL to continue his career. Speaking to Sky Sports prior to the end of last season, he said: "I'm open to everything.
Michael Beale continues to adapt his squad after taking the Rangers job, with another signing potentially incoming. (Ian Tuttle/REX/Shutterstock)"I just want to be happy, I want to continue playing. I said when I was 16 years of age I wanted to try and play until 40, that's not changed.
"Until somebody tells me I'm not good enough or I get an injury that's going to keep me out I'm going to continue as long as I can. This is where I am at my happiest, when I am playing football and I am enjoying myself - long may it continue."
He added that he could well return to Rangers in a coaching capacity in the future, saying: "In 2018 I said that i wanted to come and win the 55th title for Rangers and I managed to do it. Amazing memories and hopefully I'll be back at this club in some capacity in the future."