Leon Balogun explains his role in Rangers deal to sign Cyriel Dessers
Leon Balogun has explained that he played a key role in the deal to bring Cyriel Dessers to Rangers this summer.
The defender, who has returned to Ibrox following a spell at QPR, has been joined at the club by his Nigeria teammate Dessers.
And Balogun has revealed just how key he was in helping convince his compatriot to make the switch to the Scottish Premiership club.
“The funny thing is that the same night my agent texted me [to tell me about Rangers’ interest] I actually text the manager to say congratulations on signing Cyriel,” said Balogun, as quoted by the Daily Record.
“I was joking to him and asked, ‘Where should I send the invoice?’ Obviously I was talking to Cyriel too. He basically just asked me what the club is like. He knew a little bit but wanted to know what my experience was like. I told him that for me personally, I had the best time of my career here.
“I enjoyed it, the people are great. I told him they expect a lot, especially the supporters, but that just comes with the size of the club. He said, ‘I know it’s a big club…’ But I said, ‘No you don’t!’
“I thought I had an idea when I came first time but everyone said you’ll only understand how big it is once you get here. That’s what I told Cyriel too: ‘If you really have a chance, buy into it. If you feel the manager wants you, go for it because he will be brilliant for you. The way I know the team and the club, you’ll have a good time there if you do your part’.”
Agent Balogun
Rangers boss Michael Beale definitely did the majority of the work in bringing Dessers to Ibrox this summer, just as he has done with his other new signings.
But for this one, he certainly has his old friend Balogun to thank, with the central defender giving the striker that little nudge that he needed, if indeed there was any hesitancy over the move.
It will definitely be difficult for the new forward to immediately hit the ground running at Ibrox, as it has been for many players in Scottish football over the years, but he has been handed a massive boost with the return of Balogun.
The defender was an Ibrox hero during his first spell at the club and is now undoubtedly desperate to help clinch silverware alongside his Nigeria teammate next season.
As always, however, the passionate supporters of the Scottish side will be on top of the players right from the very first whistle.
In other Rangers news, a pundit has hit out in the newspaper after one transfer at the Ibrox outfit.