Rangers are preparing for a major summer overhaul, and Leon Balogun has become the first player to confirm his upcoming departure.
Balogun’s contract expires in early June, and although he had expressed a desire to remain at Ibrox, his future remained unclear until now.
The club is set for sweeping changes as the 49ers’ takeover nears completion in Govan, and the 36-year-old defender has now officially announced his exit, expressing disappointment over how the situation unfolded.
Balogun Frustrated by Lack of Clarity Over Rangers Exit
Balogun has already played his final game in a Rangers shirt, including what turned out to be his last match at Ibrox—though he didn’t know it at the time. In recent weeks, questions about his future swirled, particularly after he completed the full 90 minutes in the team’s final home fixture against Dundee United and then picked up an injury at Hibernian.
Now, with his exit confirmed, Balogun took to social media to express his regret over not being able to properly say farewell to the fans.
“If I had known those last two games were going to be my final appearances, I would have made sure to say goodbye properly,” Balogun wrote in a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter). “It saddens me that I wasn’t given that chance—to walk around Ibrox one last time and show appreciation for all the love and support you’ve shown me during both of my spells at the club.”
A Sensible Call by Rangers
While Balogun remains a respected and well-liked figure at the club, both among teammates and fans, Rangers’ decision not to offer a new contract appears to be the right one.
The Nigerian international struggled with fitness issues throughout the season, managing only 20 league appearances. With age not on his side and his reliability in question, the club needs to bring in younger, more durable options in defence.
As Rangers undergo a broader rebuild with new ownership and potentially a new managerial direction, refreshing the squad with long-term solutions is a logical step.
Despite his exit, Balogun leaves behind a respectable legacy at Ibrox. Across his two spells with the club, he made 114 appearances and scored three goals. His professionalism and on-field contributions will be remembered fondly by supporters—many of whom will be disappointed not to have had the opportunity to give him a fitting send-off at Ibrox.
