Auxerre coach Guy Roux has admitted he was shocked to learn that the club’s central defender, Jean-Alain Boumsong, had agreed to join Rangers next summer.

Boumsong has been linked with a string of leading European clubs, but Rangers beat off the likes of Liverpoo and Internazionalefor his signature. Boumsong , has signed a pre-contract agreement with Rangers which will see him arrive at Ibrox at the end of the season on a free transfer.

“Jean-Alain has decided to join Rangers? I didn’t know that and I certainly didn’t expect that,” Roux told The Sun.

“I’m very, very surprised at this because he could play anywhere in Europe.

“It’s really none of my business because we can’t afford to keep him, but I expected to hear that he was going to Italy or Spain, not Scotland. It’s his choice though.”

“I’m sure Rangers are getting a bargain. He’s a very good defender who has forced his way into the France side and he can only get better.

“How much is he worth? I’ve heard people put a price tag of millions and millions on his head but that’s unfair. The bottom line is he is out of contract and is a free transfer,” added Roux.

“If he had a contract I couldn’t put a price on his head because then no one may buy him. He’s not a baguette that you buy from a baker’s shop for a set price. There’s no set price but he is a top-class player.

“I don’t think all this transfer talk will affect Jean-Alain’s play for us.

“We have known for a while he wasn’t going to be with us after the summer because we don’t have the money to pay his contract.”