Leon Balogun hits out as he sends emotional Rangers exit message
Rangers are set to part ways with several players this summer, and Leon Balogun is the first to confirm his upcoming departure.
Balogun is out of contract at the start of June, but had an uncertain future as he admitted that he wanted to remain at Ibrox.
Rangers are set for huge changes with the 49ers' impending takeover close to completion in Govan.
The 36-year-old has now confirmed that he will leave, but has admitted his frustration at how his exit has panned out.
Balogun slams Rangers uncertainty ahead of exit
Balogun has already played his last game for Rangers and his final match at Ibrox, but at the time, he did not know it.
In the past few weeks, speculation has been rife over the centre-back's future, and this continued as he played the entire 90 minutes in the Gers' final home game against Dundee United, before coming off injured at Hibernian.
The Nigerian has now confirmed that he will leave, but in his exit statement, he bemoaned the fact that he did not say a proper goodbye at Ibrox.
| Leon Balogun stats | 2024/25 Scottish Premiership |
| Appearances | 20 |
| Starts | 12 |
| Minutes played | 1071 |
"If I would have known that the last two games of the season were my last for the club, I would have made sure to say goodbye to all of you accordingly," he wrote in a statement posted on X.
"Unfortunately, I wasn't afforded that opportunity, which saddens me as I would have liked to walk around Ibrox one last time and return all the love and support you've given me during my two stints."
Rangers right to let Balogun leave
Although he is a popular character at the Ibrox club and an experienced head in the dressing room, Rangers were right to let Balogun leave rather than renew his contract.
Balogun has struggled with injuries this season, making just 20 league appearances, and as he gets older, his fitness will become less reliable.
Rangers need to add younger quality in their back line, and as a new manager and ownership group comes in, moving in a different direction will be best for all parties.
Balogun was a strong performer over his two stints at Ibrox, making 114 appearances overall and scoring three times, and fans will be gutted that they could not give him a proper send-off.