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Kilmarnock say they had lots of competition for the signature of former Rangers left-back Stevie Smith, who has agreed a three-year contract.

The 29-year-old was released at the end of his second spell with the Ibrox club and has moved up from the Scottish Championship to the Premiership.

Kilmarnock manager Gary Locke said: "Lots of clubs were after Stevie.

"He has bags of experience, comes from a great pedigree and fills a problem position for us."

Smith came through the youth ranks with Rangers before moving to Norwich City in 2010.

After a spell on loan with Aberdeen, he spent time with Preston North End and Portland Timbers in the United States before returning to the Glasgow club in 2013.

Smith made 20 appearances for Rangers last season as they missed out on promotion to the top flight after losing the play-off final to Motherwell.

He follows striker Kris Boyd from Ibrox to Rugby Park, with Locke having also added former Partick Thistle forward Kallum Higginbotham, goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald, previously of Falkirk, and former Hearts midfielder Scott Robinson.

Smith told Kilmarnock's website: "My focus now is on getting a good pre-season under my belt, starting with the training camp in Lilleshall this week."