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Leon Balogun, a defender for the Nigerian national football team, has left Scottish club Rangers Football Club after the management decided not to renew the 36-year-old player's contract for the upcoming season.
Balogun featured in 30 matches this season, with 21 starts, including the last four games under interim head coach Barry Ferguson.
He was one of the senior players instrumental in helping the team reach the quarter-finals of the Europa league.
On Tuesday, Balogun announced the management's decision in a farewell message to Scottish fans, stating that the matches he played would be his last for the club.
He indicated that his recent games marked the conclusion of his second spell at Rangers, which lasted two years.
The Nigerian-German defender criticized the Rangers management for not allowing him the chance to properly thank the staff and fans who have supported him over the years, stating, "I am not permitted to say goodbye to you."
Although his contract runs until the end of May, he expressed his surprise in an Instagram post about not being able to extend his stay with the Scottish Premiership runners-up.
He remarked: “If I had known that the last two games would be my last, I would have ensured to bid you all farewell properly. Unfortunately, I wasn't given that chance, which saddens me as I would have loved to walk around Ibrox one final time and show my gratitude for all the love and support during my two stints.”
Balogun, born in Berlin, first joined Rangers after departing Wigan Athletic in 2020.
He moved to Queens Park Rangers in 2022 but returned to Ibrox after spending a year with the Championship club. Initially seen as backup upon his return, he emerged as a regular starter this season when Robin Propper fell out of favor.
In announcing his departure, he expressed gratitude towards the fans and the "people working behind the scenes" at the club, calling it an "honor," "privilege," and "pleasure" to play for such a "massive club."
