Three professional OCSC youth players were welcomed to the Gers on trial this December, with the USA youth internationals Francis Jacobs, Aaron Cervantes and Diego Lopez playing in Academy matches.

Full-time members of Rangers staff will transfer to Orange County to help develop and deliver the programme on all levels.

Preparations are being made for a Rangers Squad to participate in a new concept friendly football tournament in Orange County in the summer of 2020 and 2021.

Rangers Soccer Schools will join forces with Orange County SC to provide both daily coaching sessions and week-long clinics to boys and girls in the Southern California area.

Southern California players and teams will have the ability to travel to Glasgow and train with Rangers coaches at the Hummel Training Centre. Scottish players and teams will also have the option to travel to OC for clinics, tournaments and soccer-friendly family vacations.

The commercial and media teams at both clubs have formed an alliance focused on identifying mutual sponsorship opportunities and digital content projects on both sides of the Atlantic.

A behind-the-scenes documentary telling the story of the young players crossing over between Orange County and Glasgow is already in development and will be aired during 2020.

Rangers Managing Director Stewart Robertson said: “We’re excited and proud to announce our relationship with Orange County Soccer Club.

“The Club’s international strategy is a core-pillar to our growth plans and this relationship gives Rangers a permanent presence in the U.S. and a platform to develop further.

“After an initial approach from OCSC, my team and I visited Orange County earlier this year and saw the opportunities at first hand that this relationship could create.