The 35-year-old Nigeria international defender signed for the Premiership club from QPR earlier this month.
Browsing: Leon Balogun
The 35-year-old Nigerian international returns to Ibrox after previously spending two successful seasons at the club under Steven Gerrard’s reign.
The new Light Blues hitman has spoken of his relief at getting the deal done after some “long and stressful” days as he becomes Michael Beale’s sixth signing of the summer.
The 34-year-old is a Nigeria international, who featured in three matches during the 2018 World Cup for the Super Eagles.
The free agent has agreed a one-year deal at Loftus Road following his departure from Glasgow Rangers at the end of last season.
The experienced defender walks away from Ibrox on a high after lifting the Scottish Cup in his final game against Hearts.
It comes after the 33-year-old revealed a deep desire to sign a new deal, saying he had forged a strong bond with the club.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side were beaten on penalties by Eintracht Frankfurt after a 1-1 draw in the club’s first European final for 14 years on Wednesday.
The German-born Nigerian centre-back is out of contract at the end of the campaign.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst praised his Rangers side for adapting to Balogun’s first-half red card to beat Motherwell at Fir Park
The Rangers defender came off the bench to earn his first cap for the ‘Super Eagles’ in their 0-0 draw in Ghana on Friday.
Victor Osimhen led Nigeria’s attack while Francis Uzoho replaced Maduka Okoye in goal.
Glasgow Rangers midfielder, Joe Aribo strolled into the camp on Tuesday morning along with Calvin Bassey, Kenneth Omeruo, Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis, Calvin, France-based Innocent Bonke as number of players in camp rose to eighteen at press time.
Other players that have so far arrived their Abuja camp are Leon Balogun, Semilogo Ajayi, Ola Aina and Frank Onyeka.
Balogun played 44 matches under Gerrard before the former Three Lions star took over at Aston Villa in November 2021.
The Ibrox defender withdrew from the Super Eagles of Nigeria squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations.
Joe Aribo, Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey are included in Nigeria’s squad, with their opening Group D match on January 11.
Next month’s competition, in Cameroon, has raised concerns with the rapid spread of the virus and omicron variant with European club officials currently refusing to sanction early release of players before the start of the tournament.
Ibrox chiefs have requested the Nigerian Football Federation delay the arrival of the key men for the upcoming African Cup of Nations until after the January 2 showdown at Parkhead.
The centre-back made a crucial blunder that saw lowly Central African Republic defeat the Super Eagles, leaving their hopes of qualifying for World Cup 2022 in jeopardy.