Leon Balogun is back at Rangers on a one-year deal after the club confirmed his return with a surprise pre season video cameo.
The Nigerian international reunites with Michael Beale a year after leaving Ibrox. Balogun wasn't offered a new contract at the end of the 2021/22 season by Gio van Bronckhorst, despite wanting to remain at his "football home." The Dutchman's loss was Michael Beale's gain, who snapped up the 35-year-old on a free transfer for QPR. However, the Londoner left the R's just months later in order to replace van Bronckhorst in Govan.
And that has eventually paved the way Balogun to make the same journey back to Scotland. Record Sport exclusively revealed he was in talks over a switch and now Beale has moved to bolster his defence with a familiar face. It's a timely addition too, after young defender Leon King was ruled out for a "significant period" of time with an injury, leaving Beale looking a bit light at the back.
Set to deploy a back three this season, Balogun will provide cover for Connor Goldson, John Souttar and Ben Davies in the centre back positions. King's injury has turned out to be not as serious as first feared. The teenager is hopeful of being back in two months, but Balogan will still be required during a hectic start to the 2023/24 campaign.
He told the club's website: “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.”
Beale added: “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.”
In a unique signing video, he was a surprise at the end of a clip asking players what convinced them to join Rangers, before he commented: "I don't think that needs convincing [joining Rangers]. What kind of question is that? You don't need to convince anyone to come home."
Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.
You can also follow our dedicated Rangers and Celtic podcast pages and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.
