GLASGOW RANGERS have joined the chase to sign Richard Wright after his five-year stay at Goodison Park was officially ended yesterday.
The former England international and Alessandro Pistone are on the lookout for new clubs after they were informed by David Moyes that their contracts would not be renewed.
And it would appear that Wright, one of Blues boss Moyes’ first signings in the summer of 2002, will not be short of offers, as Ipswich and Southampton are also monitoring his situation.
If the 29-year-old happens to find himself without a club when pre-season training starts in July, Moyes would be prepared to offer Wright a 12-month deal to remain Tim Howard’s deputy.
Yet, with Rangers in need of an experienced keeper, the chances of him returning to Merseyside are remote. That, though, has not stopped Moyes giving him a ringing endorsement.
“We have released Sandro and we have released Richard,” Moyes confirmed today. “The door is still slightly ajar for Wrighty in that we might need another goalkeeper.
“But to all extents and purposes, he has been released. We just thought it was the right thing to do. He wants to be playing football regularly and we understand that.
“He goes with our best wishes. He’s had five years with us and while there might have been difficult times, he is a fantastic professional and he goes with our best wishes.”
Wright added: “We had a chat but the one thing I want to be doing is playing regular football. I’ve had five good years at Everton and it has been a honour and privilege to play here.
“Things might not have worked out quite how I wanted them to, what with picking an injury up and one thing or another, but it was still a terrific experience. I have some fond memories.”
Meanwhile, a return to Italy is on the cards for veteran defender Pistone, who has been tormented by injuries for the past two years.
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