MAURICE EDU was today granted the work permit he needs to seal a £2.7million switch to Rangers.

Gers boss Walter Smith attended a hearing at Hampden and the panel took just over an hour to give the 22-year-old's move from Toronto FC the green light.

Edu is currently back in Canada and will now finalise the paperwork. He will arrive in Scotland early next week and be available for the first Old Firm game of the season at Parkhead on August 31.

The US international becomes Smith's fourth signing since the £8m sale of Carlos Cuellar following the captures of Steven Davis, Pedro Mendes and Spanish kid Aaron.

Davis will feature against Aberdeen at Pittodrie tomorrow - but countryman Kyle Laffery has been ruled out with a hamstring strain.

The £3.5m former Burnley forward scored on his home debut in last weekend's 2-0 win over Hearts, but limped off in the second half.

Despite getting treatment all week, Lafferty has failed to recover. Daniel Cousin is also out with a knock.

Aaron is still waiting on his registration coming through from Spain, but would not have been involved at Pittodrie as he is still short of match fitness.

Davis was paraded today after sealing a £3m return from Fulham - and says he can't wait to team up with Pedro Mendes in a rebuilt midfield.

The Northern Ireland skipper said: "Losing Barry Ferguson to injury was a massive blow for everybody.

"He is the captain of the club and plays a huge part in driving everybody forward. He is still a big loss. But hopefully we have players here who can do the job.

"I know Pedro from my time down south. I'm sure he will do a very good job. I am sure playing with top quality players will improve me. I am looking forward to the future."

Smith, who has brought in eight players, admits more players could leave to balance the books. He added: "It depends if other clubs come in. We have a big squad of players and because we are well off numbers-wise, clubs will be alerted to that. One or two of the boys may move before the deadline."