The Kansas City Wizards have acquired Scottish international defender Richard Gough, in a transfer from Glasgow Rangers of the Scottish Premier Division.
Gough will join Kansas City at the conclusion of the 1996-97 Scottish season in May as the Wizards’ 1997 MLS player allocation. He has led Rangers to eight straight Scottish titles, and is close to sewing up a ninth this year. He earned Scottish Footballer of the Year honors in 1989, and has made 61 appearances for Scotland.
“This is a major, major acquisition for Kansas city and MLS,” said Wizards coach Ron Newman. “Richard Gough is one of the most respected players in European football and he is at the top of his game. One of his great strengths is the way he reads the game; he is dominant in the air; he organizes the whole team. He is an absolute leader and I am thrilled to have him!”
Nicknamed “Richard the Lionheart” for his inspirational leadership and commitment to the game, Gough began his professional career in 1980 with Dundee United, where he scored a career high 8 goals during the 1982-83 season and led the club to its first-ever Premier division championship.
After six year in Scotland, Gough moved to Tottenham Hotspur in England for a season and a quarter, before returning north. He has been at Rangers since the 1987-88 season, and has been the squad’s captain since 1990.
“Second place is meaningless to me,” said the 34-year-old Gough from Scotland. “I’m coming to the U.S. for a new challenge and to help the Wizards win the league championship. That’s what motivates me. I had a lot of offers from Europe and Japan, but I have been impressed with Major League Soccer. Mo Johnston (currently a Wizards forward and Gough’s former Rangers teammate) has spoken very highly of both Kansas City and the caliber of play in the league.”