DAVID WEIR became the first signing of Walter Smith's second spell in charge of Rangers when he agreed a short-term deal in January 2007.

The Scotland defender had been in his eighth year with the Goodison club but was given permission by boss David Moyes to move back to Scotland.

After providing a steadying influence on the Gers back line in the final months of the 06/07 season Weir was handed a new deal to take him through to the summer of 2008.

It would prove to be a remarkable season for the veteran defender as he formed a formidable partnership with Carlos Cuellar and made 60 starts for the light blues, missing only one game in the SPL and one in Europe.

So valuable was his contribution he was awarded a further extension to his deal at the age of 38 that would see him remain at the club until the summer of 2009.

That means Weir has enjoyed a 17 year career in the professional game after starting at Falkirk in 1992 after three years of playing college football at the University of Evansville in the United States.

He spent four years with the Bairns before moving to Hearts with whom he won the Scottish Cup in 1998.

He left Tynecastle a year later and has spent almost a decade as an Everton player, racking up over 200 appearances for the Toffees.

His form since returning to Scotland has also seen Weir continue his involvement with Scotland's international team and with over 60 caps to his name he brings a wealth of experience to the defence at both club and international level.

In the 2008/09 season Weir made more appearances for Smith's team than any other player and ended the campaign as captain after taking over the responsibility from Barry Ferguson.

The successful double winning year also saw Weir collect his first league winner's medal at the age of 39.