TheCable

Leon Balogun, Super Eagles defender, has extended his contract with Rangers, Scottish premiership club, until the summer of 2022.

The Scottish champions confirmed Balogun’s one-year contract extension in a statement on its website on Friday.

The 32-year-old Nigerian defender has been a vital cog in the Rangers team that won the league for the first time in 10 years.

“Today is a very happy day and a very proud day announcing my contract has been extended for another year,” said Balogun.

“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.”

“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.”

On his part, Steven Gerrard, Rangers FC manager, heaped praise on the Super Eagles’ defender while describing him as a role model for younger teammates.

“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,” said the former Liverpool midfielder.

“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.”

Balogun joined Rangers from Wigan Athletic last summer. He has played a significant role for the Scottish champions so far this season, securing 28 appearances across three competitions.