Confirmed: Leon Balogun and Andy Firth to leave Rangers as contract expires
Rangers have officially confirmed that Leon Balogun and Andy Firth will leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of June.
Nigeria central defender Balogun is the highest profile exit to be confirmed so far, but with him due to turn 34-years-old before his contract expires the decision has been made to let him leave on a free transfer.
Firth, the third-choice goalkeeper at the club, is also being allowed to leave after making just one senior appearance for the club. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Partick Thistle.
Balogun was a key part of the Gers squad that won a 55th league title and went unbeaten under Steven Gerrard, and was a regular under Giovanni van Bronckhorst for the most part in the 2021/22 campaign.
He was a substitute in the Europa League final as Rangers were beaten by Frankfurt, but started the Scottish Cup final three days later to win a trophy in his final appearace.
Right decision
The club needed to rebuild the squad this summer, and at 34 by the time the new season comes around Balogun was always at risk of being allowed to go.
The arrival of John Souttar means he is already replaced, but it’s the extension of Connor Goldson’s contract that was likely the straw that broke the camel’s back for him.
With Calvin Bassey impressing hugely in the second half of last season and establishing himself ahead of Balogun in the pecking order, plus his versatility to play at left-back too, it meant Balgoun’s minutes would be diminished.
As he enters the twilight of his career that isn’t something he would’ve wanted, and it makes sense for all parties involved to go their separate ways.
Balogun will be remembered for an incredibly successful two-year spell with the club going forward, but it’s the right decision for all that both he and Firth leave Ibrox this summer.
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