The former Nottingham Forest frontman will join the Ibrox outfit on a two-year deal.

Darcheville, 31, has been a regular scorer in French football for Lorient and Bordeaux, but experienced a difficult 1998-99 season when he tried his luck in England at the City Ground.

He was a target of former Rangers boss Alex McLeish but the club's interest appeared to have cooled in the past year.

Known for his pace, and nicknamed 'The Rocket', Darcheville turned down a new contract with Bordeaux and an approach from Monaco to secure his move to Rangers.

Bordeaux are currently third in Ligue 1, level on points with second-placed Lens.

Darcheville becomes Rangers' third signing for next season, after deals were struck for Falkirk forward Alan Gow and St Mirren defender Kirk Broadfoot.

He may not be the last forward to arrive as manager Walter Smith rebuilds his squad, in anticipation of rivalling Celtic for next season's domestic honours and making Champions League headway.

Rangers had been expected to target a striker with an aerial threat to compensate for Dado Prso's departure, and at 5ft 8in Darcheville does not fit that bill.

The French Guyana-born player failed to settle in England after the death of his wife and children in a car accident before his move.

However he has hit prime form in the eight years since returning to France and is Bordeaux's top scorer with seven goals in 17 starts this season.

Smith said: "We are delighted to have signed Jean-Claude."

Smith told www.rangers.co.uk: "With Dado Prso leaving we said that we were looking to bring in some player to strengthen the front area.

"And we feel we have been quick to do so by agreeing the deal to bring Jean-Claude here.

"There were a number of other clubs interested in him and Bordeaux wanted him to sign a new deal so we are pleased that we will have his talents for the next two seasons."