Rangers could re-sign former favourite Leon Balogun after QPR development
Former Rangers defender Leon Balogun is rumoured to return to the Glasgow giants after his recent spell at the club ended in 2022, according to the Daily Record.
The outlet reported (11 July) that Balogun could reunite with Michael Beale after the pair worked together at Queens Park Rangers last season.
The 35-year-old Nigerian international recently left the West London side and could become Beale’s seventh summer signing.
Required reunion?
Balogun had a decent season with QPR last season and even scored himself a match-winning goal against Wigan in the opening months of his move.
However, the defender was a victim of QPR’s downfall in the Championship after Beale left the Hoops for Rangers, with the West London side finishing narrowly outside the relegation zone after flirting with the promotion places at the start of the season.
Beale himself praised Balogun when he signed for QPR, calling him “absolutely fantastic in the season we won the league [with Rangers in 2020/21]” while also admiring “the way he carries himself. He is a very special person in terms of his personality” [QPR].
Balogun has recently had nothing but positive things to say about his former side and even had a hand in convincing new signing Cyriel Dessers to join the club.
Speaking to Rangers TV, Dessers said: “I spoke via my emails with Nigerian national team Balogun about the club. He was he was very positive about it, about the club, the coach, the people around the staff, the city. So yeah, that for me was an affirmation to go through it.”
So Balogun himself still feels fond of the club, so a return would not be unlikely.
He would be rejoining at an exciting time at Ibrox as Rangers continue their impressive and productive transfer window that has brought the likes of Sam Lammers and Abdallah Sima through the door.
Despite his growing age, Balogun earned himself some impressive stats for QPR last season, with his 2.11 interceptions per 90 (95th percentile) and 3.78 aerial duels won per 90 (92nd percentile) showing that he can still perform exceptionally at a good level [FBRef].
He could provide Rangers with a quality backup option, especially as a free agent.