The 34-year-old leaves the Hammers after falling down the pecking order with the Barclays Premier League club.

Rangers have taken over his contract, in a similar move to their capture of David Weir 12 months ago.

The Scotland international made 191 appearances, scoring five goals, over a seven-year stay at Upton Park.

He had a loan stint with Championship outfit Southampton at the end of 2006, where he made 11 appearances, and admits West Ham will always have a place in his heart.

"I will always feel fondly about it," he said. "It's a brilliant club. It's massive. There are so many West Ham fans everywhere you go.

"They seem to pop up everywhere. It's so big. People who aren't involved with West Ham don't realise quite how big the club is."