Super Eagles and Rangers defender, Leon Aderemi Balogun, was thrilled to have penned a new deal with the Gers after featuring sparingly this season, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 35-year-old was a fringe player for Philippe Clement’s side this season, playing just 19 games before picking up an injury that kept him out of the Scottish Cup final.
After the final, the Glasgow-based club opted to renew the Nigerian’s contract for another year, citing that his experience would help integrate their new summer signings into the squad.
Speaking about his added stay in Scotland, the former Mainz 05 man was thrilled to be spending another year in Blue colours.
“I’m very very happy obviously. The last time I was in that scenario it didn’t turn out so much in my favour which was sad. I think I never held back about it and then when I came back which was almost a year ago it’s crazy. I’m happy I get to stay another year, at least hopefully. I think the way I’ve been received and that really special first year we had, that really special relationship between the fans and the team,” Balogun said in quotes from The Scottish Sun.
Rangers missed out on a domestic double this year, caving to their rivals, Celtic when it mattered the most. However, the Nigerian International is hungry for success despite coming to the tail-end of his career.
“The whole thing. I mean obviously, we go through tough times as well but that’s just like in any good family. It can’t always be pretty but at the end we always smile together and get to celebrate some success as well,” the former Werder Bremen defender concluded.
Balogun last played for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in 2022. He came off the bench with 19 minutes left to play as Nigeria cruised to a comfortable win over Sao Tome and Principe.