Rangers troubled midfielder Ricksen loaned to Zenit

ST PETERSBURG, Aug 9 (Reuters) Rangers have loaned Dutch midfielder Fernando Ricksen to Zenit St Petersburg for a year, the Russian premier league side said today.

Zenit said on their website that Ricksen should arrive in Russia's second city early next week to sign a personal contract after undergoing a medical.

The 29-year-old Dutchman has had a troubled time at the Scottish club recently. He returned to training with Rangers last week after spending time in a London addiction clinic.

Last month he was sent home by Rangers from their pre-season tour of South Africa following an incident on the flight when he reportedly threw water at a flight attendant.

In St Petersburg, Ricksen will be re-united with compatriot Dick Advocaat, who was named Zenit coach in June after stepping down as manager of South Korea following their elimination from the World Cup finals.

Ricksen would be Zenit's fourth major signing since Advocaat's appointment following the arrivals of Turkey striker Fatih Teeke and South Korea midfielders Lee Ho and Kim Dong-jin.

REUTERS MQA RN2333