Leon King ‘agrees permanent Rangers exit’ after Martin audition failure
Russell Martin has been keeping a close eye on his Rangers squad ahead of the new season.
Rangers played Club Brugge in their first pre-season friendly at Ibrox on Sunday and came from two goals down to draw 2-2.
Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane were both absent at Ibrox, fuelling further speculation around their respective futures.
However, it is centre back Leon King who looks set to depart the Glasgow club next after recent developments.
King set to leave Rangers after Brugge performance
Martin has already seen several new players arrive at Ibrox since his arrival, with Max Aarons one of the first signings through the Rangers door.
While the former Southampton manager will want more acquisitions, he must also decide who is fit to wear the Gers’ blue.
King is a player who has risen through the youth ranks in Glasgow and has made 20 first-team appearances so far in his career.
However, the 21-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with Scottish Championship side Queen’s Park, where he made nine appearances.
| Leon King’s 2024/25 Scottish Championship statistics | Total |
| Appearances | 9 |
| Clearances | 5.1 |
| Dribbled past per game | 1.3 |
| Errors leading to shot | 10 |
| Total duels won | 5.8 (40%) |
| Accurate passes | 28.4 (76%) |
Now, King is set to sign for League One outfit Wycombe Wanderers for an undisclosed fee, according to the Scottish Daily Mail in its print edition (8 July, page 64).
Martin picked the defender to start against Brugge, but now he is set to depart for the Chairboys.
Martin right to get rid of King amid surplus of centre backs
Given the number of centre-backs Martin has within his squad, it is inevitable that he will have to move some of them on.
Including King, Martin has six natural options in the hub of his defence, including new signing Emmanuel Fernandez.
Ben Davies has also returned from his season-long loan with Birmingham City, and Martin could utilise him next season.
Furthermore, Rangers are set to seal a loan move for Wolves centre back Nassser Djiga, with the Bears closing in on the 22-year-old.
All things considered, the decision to move King on looks to be the right one, as he looks to have failed his audition for Martin against Brugge.
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