New Rangers signing Joey Barton has stated that turning his back on Premier League football was a difficult decision.

Barton rejected a new contract offer from Burnley to sign for Scottish side Rangers on a two-year deal and the veteran midfielder is now set for a new adventure in his eventful career.

Following the completion of the transfer, 33-year-old Barton has now gone on reveal that it was very difficult for him to reject English top flight football with Sean Dyche's Burnley following their promotion from the Championship but is looking forward to a fresh challenge in Scotland.

"I've been in the Premier League before and [turning the chance down to play there next year] was a real tough decision for me," he said on talkSPORT.

"You're turning your back on a Premier League that's going to contain [Pep] Guardiola, [Jurgen] Klopp, [Jose] Mourinho, [Antonio] Conte - a plethora of top managers and the players that will come with that.

"It wasn't an easy decision but I just felt I had a great journey at Burnley. Everything has a beginning, middle and end and sometimes if you stay too long it ends up ruining it.

"I had a great year and it's organically the right stage to get off. I've got a lot of friends beyond a professional experience and I'm onto the new challenge and what a challenge it is up at Rangers."