The Scotland international brings tenacity and a creative spark to the ranks and joins former Gers teammate Kris Boyd, who quit Ibrox for the Riverside earlier this month.
Gordon Strachan has noted the potential value on offer in his homeland, where even the likes of Rangers and Celtic are struggling to match the spending power of clubs in the Championship, let alone the English Premier League.
Scott McDonald, Barry Robson, Stephen McManus, Willo Flood, Chris Killen and Lee Miller have all been tempted south of the border.
After Thomson agreed a four-year contract, Rangers striker Kenny Miller bemoaned the loss of another key player from the Scottish champions.
Losing Thommo is a blow.
He has been a regular starter for the team over the last two or three years so he will be a loss. With Thommo gone, that's five important firstteam squad players, so we are going to have to replace at least a couple of them, I would think, he said.
Thomson revealed that Strachan's ambitious plans for the club made the decision to move an easy one.
He said: The whole set up is impressive but the manager impressed me too. The players he told me he was trying to sign intrigued and excited me.
He is trying to acquire players who can win this club promotion and I like the way he is going about setting up the team.
I'm not coming down here to be in a middle-of-road Championship team. When I think of Middlesbrough, I think of a Premier League club. The manager is determined to get the club back there and I think he's going about it in the right manner.
It's been a long time coming because it dragged on a little bit. I think the move has been in the pipeline for the whole of the summer, pretty much.
I first heard there was an interest from Middlesbrough before I set off on holiday.
When I got back for pre-season with Rangers, the manager told me the clubs had agreed a fee, but it was down to me if I'd like to move.
Thomson arrives with a reputation as a midfield battler but Strachan insists the 25- year-old has a lot more strings to his bow.
Kevin knows the game and he's got great determination about him, very much in the Barry Robson mould,'' he said.
He's also a more disciplined player than most but he isn't just a sitting midfielder.
He's a very good passer, he retains the ball well and he scored some important goals in Scotland. He's an excellent signing.
Boro Pride members can book their seats to see Gordon Strachan's new-look side take on Ipswich Town in the August 7 opener from 9.30am on Monday.
Seats are available for £8 for Boro Pride members aged under-18.
Prices for adult members start at £21, with over-65s and 18-21s prices from £14.
Those prices represent savings on normal matchday tickets of £9 for 18-21s, £5 for under-18s and £2 for adults and those aged over-65.
Tickets for the Ipswich match go on general sale at 9.30am on Thursday, with prices starting at £23 adults, £16 over-65s and £13 under-18s.
Seats for Boro's second home match of the season, against Sheffield United on Sunday, August 22 (1.15pm), can be booked by Boro Pride members from 9.30am on Monday, July 26, with general sale from Thursday, July 29.
Tickets for the season's first npower Championship away game, at Leicester City on Saturday, August 14 (3pm), will be available to Season Card holders from Thursday, Boro Pride Members from Monday, July 26, and general sale from Thursday, July 29.
Boro have received an initial allocation of 1,410 tickets for the Leicester match, priced £30 (adults), £26 (over-60s),£20 (18- 21s), £18 (12-17s), £8 (8-11s) and £6 (under-8s).
Tickets can be booked online at www.mfc.co.uk, in person or by calling 0844 499 1234.
Source: Northern Echo
Source: Northern Echo