Rangers have confirmed the signing of Leon Balogun as Michael Beale bolstered his defensive options.
The Nigerian international returns to Ibrox after a year away from the club at QPR in the English Championship.
Balogun played under Beale for a period of that time before the Englishman moved to Rangers to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Balogun had an excellent two years from 2020-2022 at Ibrox, contributing to the delivery of title number 55 in 2021, the Scottish Cup in 2022 and the run to the Europa League final also in 2022.
He also has Bundesliga pedigree having had spells with Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Mainz 05, Premier League experience with Brighton and Hove Albion, and international honours with Nigeria, including at a World Cup and an African Cup of Nations.
He becomes the seventh signing of the summer for Beale, and speaking after his arrival at the team’s training camp in Germany, Balogun commented: “I am just excited to be honest, it is still a bit unreal but it is very real, so I am just really really happy to be back at Rangers – it feels like coming home.
“Since I have left, I have always felt a lot of appreciation and love from friends I have made in Glasgow and around the club and now that I am back it is nice to say the least.
“I know second is no option, I know what people are going to say very quickly if we are not performing so it is time to get to work, put our best foot forward and make sure we get the results that we need.”
The Big Question ❓ 💬 What convinced you to join Rangers? pic.twitter.com/yzRILWXpT1
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Manager Beale, continued: “Leon is a person that I have full trust in both as a footballer and a man.
“He is extremely well-liked by everyone inside the club, and we are very happy to have someone with his experience and leadership qualities re-joining our squad. Naturally he will integrate back into the club very quickly and he understands fully our way of working and style of play.
“As a free agent, we were able to move quickly so that he could join us here in Germany. It was really nice to see the reception he received from the players and staff on joining us here at the camp.”
Balogun, 35, has been brought in for defensive cover after the club confirmed a long-term injury blow for Leon King yesterday.
The club have announced the 19-year-old will be sidelined for a “significant period of time” after sustaining a blow during a pre-season camp in Germany.
Rangers begin their Premiership campaign away at Kilmarnock on August 5.
A club statement read: “Rangers FC can confirm defender Leon King suffered a contact injury to his ankle at the club’s pre-season training camp in Germany on Monday which will rule him out for a significant period of time.
“Leon is being looked after by the club’s medical staff and a further update will follow in due course. Everyone at the club wishes Leon a speedy recovery.”
