Rangers give Leon Balogun one-year contract to seal brand new transfer
Rangers have handed Leon Balogun a one-year contract ahead of his return to the club, according to The Fourth Official.
The online source has reported that the Nigerian international is nothing more than a short-term fix to cover Leon King after his significant new injury.
Michael Beale is said to be a real admirer of Balogun, and was part of the team that brought him to Ibrox in his last spell under Steven Gerrard.
Writing on their official Patreon page, The Fourth Official wrote: “As most of you have seen the rumours since yesterday, I can confirm Leon Balogun is set to be Rangers seventh signing this summer.
“From what I have been told, the defender has been given a one-year contract with youngster Leon King ruled out for a significant amount of time.
“Balogun has always been someone Beale has admired, and at 35, he will be a short-term fix.”
Smart.
With King out for the foreseeable future, this deal makes a lot of sense for Beale and Rangers.
Balogun knows the manager and the club inside out, so it will be a seamless transition for his return to Govan as he gets ready to play a role on and off the pitch.
The veteran defender will be massive in the dressing room, even if he is not playing, as he helps new signings settle in, especially his fellow countryman Cyriel Dessers.
Beale could have looked to his academy to replace King, but that may only push the young defender even further back down the pecking order once he returns.
Balogun will know that this is a one-year deal only and that the young Scotsman will likely slot in ahead of him when he is back from injury later in the season.
This one has moved quickly since his exit from Queens Park Rangers, so we can all expect this to be announced very soon as he looks to join up with the squad in Germany.
In other Rangers news, the Bears have made yet another new bid for another striker