Super Eagles defender, Leon Balogun, has joined English championship side, Queens Park Rangers on a one-year contract after the expiration of his deal at Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers in the summer. 

The 34-year-old was an instrumental player for Rangers during his time at the club making a total of 65 appearances in all competitions and helping them to lifting their 55th domestic league trophy in the 2020/21 season as well as playing an instrumental part in helping the team reach the final of the UEFA Europa League in the 2021/22 season. 

The former Brighton defender who worked with current R’s coach Mick Beale at Ibrox said he is excited to be playing for the respected English gaffer as well as play his part in helping the club return to the topflight. 

“It is a big relief to know I can get back to action and I am looking forward to it,” Balogun told the club’s website. “The manager is one of the main factors for me. When he left Rangers, I messaged him and said in terms of a football brain he is one of the best I have worked with.”

Although he’s not played a competitively organised football game since leaving Rangers in the summer, Balogun says he is still fit and ready to go.

“I have managed to keep myself fit,” he said. “I haven’t been able to have team training so that is what I will try to catch up with as quickly as possible. The foundation of my fitness is there so it really shouldn’t take me long.”

QPR manager Beale has also shared his joy and excitement at being able to bring in such an experienced player to the club. 

“I am delighted with this one – I have been chasing him all summer,” he said.

“He had a lot of offers so it is great we have been able to get him. He comes here on the back of two years at Rangers. He was absolutely fantastic in the season we won the league and last season he made 37 appearances in the team that won the Scottish Cup and reached the Europa League Final.”