Scottish club, Rangers officially sign Leon Balogun

Scottish Premiership club, Rangers have announced the signing of Super Eagles defender, Leon Balogun.

The Nigeria international became a free agent after leaving Championship side Wigan Athletic at the end of the 2019-20 season and has now been signed by Rangers on a year contract with an option of an extension.

Balogun has spent most of his career in Germany playing for Turkiyemspor Berlin, Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Fortuna Dusseldorf, Darmstadt 98 and Mainz.

Balogun, 32, was born to a Nigerian father and German mother and he has 32 caps for Nigeria. He came to England in 2018 from Bundesliga side Mainz 05 before teaming up with Wigan after leaving Brighton on loan.

Balogun featured in 11 league games for Wigan but the club has been relegated forcing the club to reject signing Balogun permanently.

He will now link up with his compatriot Joe Aribo at Rangers after he was unveiled on Friday..

“I am pleased to secure the signature of Leon. He is an experienced centre half who will add strength and depth to our squad,” Rangers manager Steven Gerrard told the club website.

“Leon has just finished a round of competitive fixtures with Wigan so will hit the ground running. He’s a positive and bright character and we are looking forward to his influence around the group”

Sporting Director Ross Wilson added: “We quickly targeted Leon after adapting our transfer plan when Niko Katic suffered an injury a few weeks ago.

“Leon impressed Steven and me with his enthusiasm and excitement to join Rangers from the moment we first spoke whilst the staff at Brighton and Wigan couldn’t have spoken any higher about his personality and abilities.”