Leon Balogun speaks of 'falling love with Rangers' after extending contract

Rangers centre-back Leon Balogun has extended his contract with the Ibrox side.

Rangers have extended the contract of defender Leon Balogun, who signed from Wigan Athletic last summer. Picture: SNS

The German, who represents Nigeria at international level, will remain until the summer of 2022 after helping Steven Gerrard’s to the Scottish title in his first season.

The 32-year-old has featured 28 times since joining on a free last summer following his exit from Wigan Athletic.

He told the Rangers website: “Today is a very happy day and a very proud day announcing my contract has been extended for another year.

“I am proud to be a part of this amazing club and I felt that pretty early on I had fallen in love with the club and the working environment, the way the players and the management staff work and the way the club is a big family, I am happy and proud that I can call myself a Rangers player.

“I am happy to be a part of the team that won the league, but what we have been saying recently is we are just getting started and I am happy that I can be a part of this. I said a few weeks in to one of my family, I wish I had been at a club and an environment like this early-on in my career.

“I am very, very happy and proud that this can now be announced. One thing too, I was never going to leave before witnessing a full Ibrox Stadium, and if everyone was happy, I was going to stay.”

Gerrard shared the delight of his player and insisted there were no qualms in extending Balogun’s stay despite his advancing age.

The Light Blues manager said: “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.

“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.”

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