JOEY Barton decided to end his one-year stay with Burnley because he wants to win trophies, he has revealed.

The 33-year-old is departing Turf Moor after agreeing a two-year deal with Scottish giants Rangers.

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Barton rejected the opportunity to remain with the Clarets and spearhead their Premier League charge, instead opting for a new challenge with the Gers as they return to the top flight in Scotland.

He went for a look around the Gers Murray Park training ground and Ibrox stadium 10 days ago and revealed the opportunity to get his hands on silverware, something he did with Burnley this season, was a key factor in his decision.

"I came up here a week ago and was blown away by the history and tradition," he said. "That was massive for me.

"It was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. I feel it has come at the right juncture in my career.

"I had great options on the table and had a phenomenal year at Burnley with a group of people who are close to me and will remain that way, I made some great friends and had success - but what they are about to do, I've done before.

"I’ve played in the Premier League for a number of years, the last few times I’ve been in there I’ve been battling against relegation and in the cold light of day the competitive animal in me wants to win trophies.

"I had a taste of that last year with a 23 game unbeaten run and winning the Championship. It would have been easy for me to stay there, I had a great rapport with the fans and a great working relationship with the staff.

"But I’m very keen to keep challenging my own perception of what the game is and experience as much of this great game as I possibly can.

"To go into the Premier League and do what I’ve done before, I was aware it was a tough challenge, but once I walked into Ibrox and had the tour with Davey Weir and everything that comes with the history and tradition of this club, I was just bitten."

After securing promotion with the Clarets, and winning the fans' player of the year award in the process, Barton had initially said he wanted to stay with Burnley, but wanted more than the one-year extension that was on the table.

That gave Rangers the opportunity to pounce and after meeting with boss Mark Warburton and head of recruitment Frank McParland, who brought Barton to Turf Moor a year ago before making his own move north of the border, he has agreed to pen a deal at Ibrox instead.

He said: "When I first found out there was the opportunity to come up here, from that moment on your blood got pumping.

"I'm fully aware of the situation the club has been in over the last few years.

"But to be part of the group that puts this club back where it belongs was an opportunity that if I didn't take it I would regret it the rest of my life."