Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has heaped plaudits on Leon Balogun after the defender extended his contract with the club, Completesports.com reports.
The Gers announced on Friday that Balogun has penned an extension that will see the Nigeria international remain at Ibrox until the summer of 2022.
“I am delighted to secure the services of Leon for another year. Leon has been a consistent performer for me this season and has played a key role in strengthening our defence,”Gerrard told the club’s official website.
Read Also: BREAKING: Leon Balogun Extends Rangers Contract
“His professionalism is obvious both on the field and in the dressing room as well. He is a role model for other players and has been a very positive influence within the squad.
“Although he is now 32, he can clearly continue to have a key influence in our squad for another year. I know that he is still ambitious to become a better version of himself and I know he is hungry for more success.”
Sporting Director, Ross Wilson, added: “Before we even consider the quality of his football I am delighted that we will have Leon’s character, personality and professionalism here with us at Rangers again next season.
“Leon joined us last summer on a free transfer and has played an outstanding part in our success as a team and towards a cohesive defensive unit. He loves being a Rangers player and has settled extremely well into life in Glasgow.”
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COMMENTS
Good one Leon Balogun at last u will be futured UCL next season
General balogun the minister of deffence. This guy is one of the best defender in the world, he is better than all manchester united and arsenal deffenders in premierleague, his lack of form was part of the reason we lost to algeria in 2019, if the general is fit the eagles are very difficult to bit. i salute you oncemore my general, keep it up till 38 you can do it, pepe of portugal is still doing it.
I agree with you completely. The Oyibo wall(with him as the pillar) was the secret of ease of qualifying from a very tough world cup qualifiers before last world cup. His loss of form before last Afcon was mainly because of been kept on the bench in Brighton. Since he left that yeye club, he is back to form.
I know Serial Leon had to get him injured and out of the way for that dramatic equalizer that took place in Benin. I can boldly say, if he played 90mins in Benin, Seriel Leon would not have taken us for a ride and equalized that match.
Well done General Balogun, Minister of Defence.
_Balogun: Older But Not Obsolete_
Super Eagles dependable defender Leon Balogun is expected to play a key part in Rangers’ title defence next season having penned a new deal that will see him see out one more season in Scotland.
After many years of Celtic hegemony of the Scottish League, Liverpool legend turn coach Stephen Gerrard masterminded Rangers’ victory this year with Leon Balogun at the heart of everything good about their defence.
The German born defender even rolled back the years on occasions to play as a right fullback and despite not being the quickest, he acquitted himself vigorously thereby underscoring his versatility.
Celtic are expected to approach next season like a wounded lion dying to reclaim lost grounds. Stephen Gerrard is acutely aware of this hence it shows how highly he rates Balogun to offer the 32 year old centre back a new contract thereby making him a part of the squad expected to prosecute their title defence.
Age aside, pace has never been Balogun’s flagship skill. However, he has developed into a mature defender with the ability to read the game clearer, make neater interceptions, launch timely tackles and conduct himself with great composure from the back.
His ability to take the fight to the opposition – by charging the ball forward like a bull – has also improved exponentially.
Little wonder Rangers rewarded him with a fresh deal. They will be looking to him to keep things tight for them at the back next season when they have to batten down the hatches.
“I am delighted to secure the services of Leon for another year. Leon has been a consistent performer for me this season and has played a key role in strengthening our defence,”Gerrard told the club’s official website.
For Nigeria, Balogun will be expected to play a huge part in efforts geared towards sealing World Cup qualification and then lifting the Cup of Nations trophy in Cameroon next year.
With Rohr expected to rehash the so called Oyinbo ball wall partnership, Balogun will be expected produce compelling performances reminiscent of his outputs at 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Happily, the way his game evolved and enhanced in every aspect this season betokens well for what fans should expect from this ageless warrior for club and country next season.
Balogun is 32 yrs old. But he takes really good care of himself, so his fitness levels are equivalent to someone in their mid-twenties. He perhaps has another 3 to 5 yrs left in the game. I would’ve expected Rangers to give him 2 yrs at a minimum.
@Pompei… Honestly, Balogun can still go another solid 3years at the top. It’s his real age… some of the young adults we have in the team may even be older in reality than General Balogun… Brighton & Hove almost wan give our man heartattack. Thank God for Gerard and the turnaround in Glasgow.