Super Eagles of Nigeria defender Leon Balogun has put pen to a one-year contract extension to continue his stay at Rangers until at least 2022.
The 32-year-old German born player joined Rangers last summer and was integral to manager Steven Gerrard’s Scottish Premier League title-winning charge and was handed a contract extension till summer next year for his efforts, the club revealed on their website.
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“Rangers are today delighted to announce Nigerian internationalist Leon Balogun has extended his contract with the club, keeping him at Ibrox until the summer of 2022,” the club announced.
Balogun professed his love for the 55-time Scottish champions afterwards and stated he would love to see the Ibrox stadium at full capacity before his exit.
“Today is a very happy day and a very proud day announcing my contract has been extended for another year. I am proud to be a part of this amazing club and I felt that pretty early on I had fallen in love with the club and the working environment, the way the players and the management staff work and the way the club is a big family, I am happy and proud that I can call myself a Rangers player.
“I am happy to be a part of the team that won the league, but what we have been saying recently is we are just getting started and I am happy that I can be a part of this. I said a few weeks in to one of my family. I wish I had been at a club and an environment like this early-on in my career.”
Gerrard also stated his delight at the former Brighton & Hove Albion defender’s extended stay and hopes his “positive influence” and experience will further influence his squad.
“I am delighted to secure the services of Leon for another year. Leon has been a consistent performer for me this season and has played a key role in strengthening our defence.
“His professionalism is obvious both on the field and in the dressing room as well. He is a role model for other players and has been a very positive influence within the squad.
“Although he is now 32, he can clearly continue to have a key influence in our squad for another year. I know that he is still ambitious to become a better version of himself and I know he is hungry for more success.”
“I am very, very happy and proud that this can now be announced. One thing too, I was never going to leave before witnessing a full Ibrox Stadium, and if everyone was happy, I was going to stay.”
Balogun has appeared in 28 matches in all competitions for Rangers this season and could lead the Protestant-Glaswegians to an unbeaten season in the league.
