Toby Wilding

Tue 20 May 2025 11:20, UK

Rangers stars have responded as another departure from Ibrox was confirmed after the news over Barry Ferguson’s exit as interim manager.

Leon Balogun is leaving at the end of his second spell at Ibrox, having previously played between 2020 and 2022, after which he spent the 2022/23 campaign in the English Championship with QPR.

He then returned to the club in the summer of 2023, and has spent the last two campaigns in Glasgow, amassing a total of over 100 appearances for the club across his two spells there.

Balogun has impressed Rangers fans with some of his performances over the current campaign, but the 36-year-old is due to be out of contract in the summer.

There had been plenty of debate over whether Balogun would be offered a new deal by Rangers, rather than the club allowing him to leave on a free transfer.

Now though, clarification has been issued by the Nigeria international himself, about whether he will still be at Ibrox for the 2025/26 campaign.

Leon Balogun bids farewell as stars respond

Earlier this season, Football Insider reported that Rangers would not offer Balogun a new contract, and that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.

Now the defender has confirmed that will indeed be the case, with an emotional message posted on Instagram on Tuesday morning (20 May).

In that message, the 36-year-old paid tribute to supporters, and appeared to aim a dig at the fact he wasn’t told about his exit in time to bid farewell in their final homes games of the season.

Balogun also outlined his intentions to return to Rangers to thank the fans properly at some point in the future, as he wrote: “It’s that time again. No caption could summarise all that is going through my mind as I’m writing these lines. It’s been nothing short of an honour, a pleasure and a great, great privilege to represent this massive club – twice!

“So many memories, good ones as well as a few tough ones. But it’s the latter especially that made my love for the club grow even stronger. The moments when we all stuck together and went again – no matter the disappointment or frustration. In these moments the club revealed what makes it most special: YOU.

“The people supporting us week in week out, near and far, demanding, expecting, pushing us to do better and go for glory.

“The people working for the club behind the scenes, meeting us with a smile everyday, doing their absolute best to contribute to the success of the club in their own way. You’re the heartbeat of the club and it’s been an honour to represent you!

“If I would have known that the last 2 games of the season were my last for the club I would have made sure to say goodbye to all of you accordingly.

“Unfortunately I wasn’t afforded that opportunity which saddens me as I would have liked to have walked round Ibrox one last time and returned all the love and support you’ve given me during my 2 stints.

“I don’t know when I’ll be back, but I promise I won’t be a stranger. Thank you for making me feel at home and appreciated wherever we met. You’ve become more than just my club, you’ve become family.
And for that I will be forever grateful.

“All the best my people, Leon”.

In response, a number of his Rangers teammates were quick to show their support, with the likes of captain James Tavernier and goalkeeper Jack Butland liking that post.

Rangers take risk with contract decision

Football Insider Verdict

Despite the fact he will be 37-years-old by the start of next season, letting Balogun go may still turn out to be a mistake for the ‘Gers.

The centre-back has done an excellent job for Rangers over the course of the campaign, suggesting he would still be a useful option for next season.

This is therefore another position in the squad that will need to be filled in the transfer window, and Balogun was a popular figure among supporters as well.

As a result, the way this exit appears to have been handled based on his comments here, is unlikely to win an under pressure board any favour with supporters either.

With that in mind, there is a chance that the decision to let Balogun go could still be one that Rangers live to regret.