DAVID BATES admits his move to Hamburger SV was too good an opportunity to turn down after he agreed a shock deal with the Bundesliga outfit.

The defender has put pen-to-paper on a four-year contract with Die Rothosen and will make the switch to Germany at the end of the campaign.

Bates was out of contract at Ibrox this summer and has rejected an extension to his Light Blues deal as he gets set to start the next stage of his career on the continent.

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He said: “After a whirlwind 48 hours I am absolutely delighted to have my future sorted.

“Like Rangers, HSV are an iconic club with tremendous history and all the pressures that come with that.

“They have given me a lot of faith in their recruitment and I can’t wait to kick on and develop further as a player. It was an opportunity I don’t think anyone would turn down.

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“I’d like to thank all the fans, staff and board for the last two years. Hopefully I can get back fit enough to help in some way to finish as high as possible.”