Villa boss O'Neill clinches an £8m deal as Spanish star Carlos quits Rangers

Cuellar approached Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain on Sunday and informed him that he wanted to leave Glasgow and move to the English Premier League.

Former manager Martin O'Neill then duly submitted an offer yesterday — which matched a 10million euro clause in the contract Cuellar signed when moving from Osasuna last summer. 

Moving south: Carlos Cuellar wanted to play in the English Premier League

Details of that agreement had previously been kept secret, but the 26-year-old will undergo a medical at Villa Park this morning before tying up the details of his shock switch.

Bain offered the Spaniard an improved deal to try to persuade him to remain at Rangers, but was informed that Cuellar had made up his mind about moving south of the border.

The dramatic development will come as a hammer blow to Ibrox fans, who have idolised the Spaniard since his arrival in the SPL.

Rangers insist the deal is not a knee-jerk reaction to last week's humiliating Champions League exit against FBK Kaunas - which cost the club at least £10m in potential European revenues - but that the situation was taken out of their hands by Cuellar's demand. 

Last season's Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year said his farewells to Rangers via the club's website, claiming his chances of representing Euro 2008 champions Spain would be improved by joining Villa.

'I came to Rangers due to the professional nature of their officials and management and their promise of success,' said Cuellar.

'Everything I had been told about this fantastic club has been true and last season's UEFA Cup run is something I will never forget.

'My ambition has always been to play for my national team and I believe playing in the biggest league in the world for Aston Villa will help me realise that.

'When I told Martin Bain on Sunday that I wanted to leave, I did so with sadness. The Rangers supporters have been fantastic to me, but I am young and want to play at the highest level and hope they will welcome me back. I want to thank them for everything.'

Ibrox manager Walter Smith admitted he had been left stunned by the speed of Cuellar's exit, but insisted the money would be re-invested in the first-team squad.

'This has come as a surprise and I am disappointed,' said Smith.

'Carlos Cuellar has been a great player for the club and inevitably there has been speculation about him playing in the Premiership. The club has received a substantial uplift in fee and we will now reinvest in the team.'