The lifelong R’s fan had spoken to a number of interested parties including Wolves, Ipswich, Sheffield United and Cardiff about possible moves but made no secret of his desire to stay at Rangers.
26-year old Birch is the first of the out of contract players to renew his contract at the club and is pleased to sign after the clubs ambitions were revealed to him.
After preliminary talks with possible new employers Bircham said he was "seeing what is on offer, if no new deal is reached with Rangers". Birch did however want to hear that following promotion the club was not going to just sit back and prepare to battle relegation. He wanted to see the club was striving to get back into the Premiership and back to where they belong.
"He said: "I hope it's not just about avoiding relegation next season. The last thing the club needs is a power struggle at the top, with the threat of administration never far away."
There are no doubts that now the new deal is struck that they can look strengthen the squad further especially alongside Bircham in the midfield. Watford’s Lee Cook is looking increasingly likely to sign and his Hornets team-mate Micah Hyde (29) is amongst the players on Ollie’s wish list and is available on a bosman free transfer.
But before signings can be made the club needs to sort out other members of the playing staff at the R’s including Paul Furlong, Matthew Rose and Richard Johnson, all expected to re-sign.
Richard Edghill is another seeking a new deal but it is Clarke Carlisle who is thought to be the most difficult to sign.
Clarke was craving for a return home to the north, but has since moved out of London and is more settled following his much publicised drink problem last season.
Chief Executive David Davies said: "Clark's circumstances have altered, and we hope we can persuade him that his future is with us."
Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock has already spoken with Carlisle about a move to Yorkshire and it is now up to the player to decide after an offer was put on the table from the R’s.