MAURICE EDU completed his switch to Rangers from MLS side Toronto FC to become Walter Smith's eighth summer signing of 2008.

The US international joined his fellow countryman DaMarcus Beasley at Ibrox as a hugely exciting acquisition for the club.

At 6ft Edu is a powerful, combative midfielder who can both push into the forward areas of the pitch and feature at right-back or in the centre of defence.

Indeed Edu's former boss Mo Johnston described the 22-year-old as 'easily the best young player in the United States'.

Born in Fontana, California, Mo was at the University of Maryland from 2004 until 2006 and spent three years playing for the Maryland Terrapins.

He forfeited his final year of NCAA eligibility to enter the 2007 MLS Superdraft after he was named a first-team All-American in 2006.

The talented youngster was selected by Toronto as the first pick of the draft and made his MLS debut in April 2007 against Kansas City.

During that first season he made 25 appearances, scoring four goals and his early displays won him many admirers.

He collected the 2007 MLS Rookie of the Year award in November 2007 as voted for by fellow players, coaches, general managers and reporters from the MLS.

And his profile and fame in the States continued to grow when it was confirmed that Edu would feature on the cover of EA Sports' hugely successful FIFA 09 football game in North America alongside Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho.

On August 16 2008 Edu flew to Glasgow to hold talks with Rangers after a fee of $5 million, roughly £2.7 million, was agreed with Major League Soccer and watched his new club beat Hearts 2-0 in their first home game of the 2008/09 campaign.

He later signed a five-year contract with the Light Blues after a work permit was granted.

Mo made his international debut for the United States against Switzerland on October 17, 2007 and won his second cap a month later against South Africa before being included in the US national team for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

He played in all three of the group matches and deputised as a centre-back, but the United States were knocked out the tournament after finishing in third place in their group.

His first season in Glasgow was also blighted by injury, stopping him from making a major impact on the first team until late in the season when a run of matches at the heart of the midfield helped his new side to a domestic double.

He was unfortunately injured again in the title winning match at Tannadice at the end of that season, and injury that ruled him out of the USA's run to the final of the Confederations Cup in South Africa.