BALOGUN BOOST: Veteran defender is poised to pen a new one-year contract extension with Rangers
- Veteran defender is believed to have verbally agreed to remain with Philippe Clement's side for next season
- Nigeria international only played 19 games last term but did enough to convince manager he deserves fresh deal
- Balogun, 35, returned to Ibrox for a second spell last summer and has made no secret of the fact that he wants to stay
Leon Balogun is poised to sign a one-year contract extension at Rangers.
The veteran defender is believed to have verbally agreed to remain part of Philippe Clement’s plans for next season, with the formalities being tied up behind the scenes.
Balogun only played 19 games in total last term, but the German-born Nigeria international did enough to convince the manager he is worthy of consideration beyond his 36th birthday next month.
Signed initially by Steven Gerrard in 2020, Balogun left Rangers for Queens Park Rangers after two years but returned to Ibrox for a second spell last summer under Michael Beale.
Asked about his future after Saturday’s Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic, the player said: ‘We’ll see. First, I have to deal with this defeat now and try to switch off a bit and then I have to see what the next weeks bring.
‘I stood here two years ago and pretty much opened up about how much I love the club. That hasn’t changed.
Balogun is set to stay with Rangers by signing a one-year contract extension
The veteran defender has become a fans favourite over two spells at Ibrox
The Nigeria international was crestfallen as Rangers lost Scottish Cup final to Celtic
‘So, definitely, there’s an openness. But, again, for me, I have to digest this first and then we’ll see what the future holds.’
While Balogun will extend his stay, there is no indication that John Lundstram, Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe or Jon McLaughlin will be invited to do so.
As things stand, Fabio Silva, Oscar Cortes and Abdallah Sima will all return to their parent clubs after their loan spells ended.
Clement has already begun his rebuild by snapping up Brazilian defender Jefte on a four-year deal from Fluminese.
