‘Always a Ranger' – Gers hero spotted wearing retro kit on birthday as he moves on from ‘sad' exit alongside glam Wag
The defender's second Ibrox spell came to an end last month and he admitted he was disappointed at not being able to say goodbye.
4
Leon Balogun left Rangers in May
Credit: Willie Vass
4
NINTCHDBPICT001006805037
Credit: INSTAGRAM
4
NINTCHDBPICT001006805035
Credit: INSTAGRAM
Balogun had an initial stint at Rangers between 2020 and 2022, forming part of the side that won the Scottish Premiership title in 2021.
He was gutted to leave the club first time around but after just one season at QPR, Balogun returned to the Gers under Michael Beale.
While he was never a regular, the Nigeria international continued to be a reliable and steady operator when called upon and many fans felt he had done enough to earn a new contract.
But in the days following the end of last season, heartbroken Balogun took to social media to reveal he was leaving the club.
He was particularly disappointed not to have been able to say a proper farewell to the supporters.
Balogun said: "If I would have known that the last two 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 two stints."
Balogun would go on to refer to Rangers as "my club" and said it had become "family" and insisted he would be returning to Ibrox in the future as a fan.
And becoming a Rangers fan certainly appears to be what's happened!
Balogun celebrated his 37th birthday a few days ago.
Rangers star Leon Balogun faces fan fury after Celtic defeat as defender applauded by fans for being the 'only one'
And although he's now found a new club in Aris Limassol, Rangers were at the front of his mind!
The former Brighton and Wigan defender's glamorous model girlfriend Mayara Zamboni shared a series of pictures from Belogun's birthday celebrations on Instagram.
The snaps show Balogun wearing a retro Rangers top on his big day, showing he clearly still has the club close to his heart.
The top he's wearing is the away kit from the 1999/2000 season, featuring white, navy blue and sky blue, as well as a navy blue collar.
Manufactured by Nike, it was a kit worn during a memorable campaign for the Gers who won both the SPL title and Scottish Cup under Dick Advocaat.
In one image, Balogun and Mayara can be seen smiling together, although her post "see you soon" suggests he was either heading or soon to head off to his new club in Cyprus to begin pre-season training.
4
A second picture shows Balogun blowing out the candles on his birthday cake, the candles taking the form of his age, 37, as well as his name along the bottom.
On seeing the pictures, one fan wrote: "Special player and always a Ranger."
While Balogun was wearing a Rangers top here, he'll soon be forming a somewhat retro Rangers defence too at Aris!
That's because his switch to the Cypriot club sees him link up with Connor Goldson, who was his centre-back partner at Ibrox too during his two spells at the club.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
29 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Donnarumma ‘disappointed and disheartened' at PSG Super Cup squad omission
Italy international Donnarumma was an eye-catching omission from PSG's Super Cup squad for Wednesday's fixture with Tottenham in his home country. Big-money summer arrival Lucas Chevalier has been included and is set to make his PSG debut at Stadio Friuli after Luis Enrique confirmed he wanted a goalkeeper profile that was 'different' to Donnarumma. — GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA (@donnarumma) August 12, 2025 Italy captain Donnarumma has since taken to Instagram to criticise the decision and expressed his desire to say goodbye 'in the eyes one more time' to the PSG supporters at Parc des Princes. 'To the special Paris fans, from the first day I arrived, I gave everything – on and off the pitch – to earn my place and defend the goal of Paris St Germain,' Donnarumma said. 'Unfortunately, someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the group and contribute to the team's success, I am disappointed and disheartened. 'I hope to have the opportunity to look the fans at the Parc des Princes in the eyes one more time and say goodbye as it should be done. 'If that doesn't happen, I want you to know that your support and affection mean the world to me and I will never forget it. I will always carry with me the memory of all the emotions, the magical nights and of you, who made me feel at home. 'To my team-mates – my second family – thank you for every battle, every laugh, every moment we shared. You will always be my brothers. 'Playing for this club and living in this city has been an immense honour. Thank you, Paris.' Luis Enrique explained his decision in Udine, saying: 'These are always difficult decisions to make. 'I can definitely talk about Gigio, because he's one of the best players in his position, without a doubt. He's even better as a person. 'We're looking for a goalkeeping profile that is different to Donnarumma. It's always difficult to make the decision in these kinds of situations.' Luis Enrique also revealed Tottenham were once an option for him and admitted they have a physical advantage on Wednesday. The 55-year-old was linked with the vacancy at Spurs after Antonio Conte left in 2023, but Ange Postecoglou was eventually hired and Luis Enrique subsequently took over PSG in a sliding doors moment for both men. Postecoglou was able to mastermind Europa League success in May and end Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought, whilst Luis Enrique guided PSG to the holy grail of a maiden Champions League title. The pair will not face each other in Italy after Spurs ruthlessly discarded with Postecoglou following a poor domestic campaign and the appointment of Thomas Frank – alongside the fact they have been in pre-season training since early July, while PSG only returned last Wednesday after their Club World Cup exploits – gives the English outfit a slight edge, according to Luis Enrique. 'Well, I have to say that it is difficult because they changed recently the manager, new manager, some new players, they play a few friendly matches before tomorrow's match and I don't know what kind of game they are going to plan,' Luis Enrique acknowledged. The squad to face Tottenham! 📋🔴🔵#SuperCup — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 12, 2025 'It is going to be difficult because they have been training for the last month and we are in our first week, but it is not an excuse. 'We are going to try to compete at our best.' On Spurs' links, Luis Enrique added: 'Well, there were some options for me in the last six months before I came to Paris and Tottenham was one of them.'
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Motherwell boss: Whether Rangers, Celtic or St Johnstone are our opponents, we will always go for the win
The Steelmen are in Premkier Sports Cup action in Perth on Saturday Jens Berthel Askou says Motherwell will do everything they can to dump St Johnstone out of the Premier Sports Cup – but expects a tough test. The Lanarkshire side head to McDiarmid Park in Perth in the last 16 of the competition, looking to book a place in the quarter-finals. Motherwell are still searching for their first league win, while Simo Valakari's men are sitting top of the Scottish Championship with two straight wins. But Askou says Motherwell will go for the win, regardless of their opponent. He said: 'It's always important to do well in a competition. It's important to put a performance out where we show ourselves and everyone that we go for the win, and it doesn't matter if we play Rangers, Celtic, or St Johnstone in the cup, or Clyde, or whoever it is. 'We will go to win the game. We will put as strong a team as we can on the pitch, with a good group on the bench, ready to come in and finish off the game, and we will have a go. 'We know it's a team with confidence, who have had a good start. It's a team that is brave and has a similar approach to the game as we do, which will make it possibly an open game, and we have to be alert.' Motherwell battled out a 0-0 draw against St Mirren in Paisley on Saturday, and took their second point, having drawn 1-1 at home to Rangers last weekend, but Askou says a win will come in time. He said: 'I don't know if I have frustration. We played Rangers, who we know is a very tough, very big team, and we played a team that were in the top six in the last two years, and are very difficult to beat. 'We kept a clean sheet, we're happy with that, so I won't say I'm frustrated – that's a big word to use – but we are doing our best to get three points. 'We know we have things to improve, but in general I am very happy with our performance again. I think it was directly in line with what we've been doing for the last couple of weeks. I trust the players to get that last bit of effectiveness that we lacked. Johnny Koutroumbis went off injured in Paisley on Saturday, and Askou hopes the defender will recover in time for the trip to Perth. He said: 'I hope it's not too bad. He was not on a stretcher, he could walk and seems to be okay but we will have to assess that this week.'
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Alfie Dorrington hasn't seen Aberdeen Scottish Cup winners medal since Hampden and hopes it won't be on eBay
The Tottenham loanee helped the Dons to famous victory over Celtic as they prepare for next cup campaign away at Morton Alfie Dorrington has joked he hasn't seen his Scottish Cup winners' medal since Hampden last May and hopes it doesn't end up on eBay. The on-loan Tottenham Hotspur defender was part of Jimmy Thelin's Aberdeen side that famously beat Celtic on penalties to lift their first trophy in 11 years. Dorrington admitted he gave his medal to his mum and dad for safe-keeping. He has returned for a second spell with the Dons and is looking for more cup glory, starting with the weekend trip to take on Morton in the Premier Sports Cup. Dorrrington said: 'I don't know what has happened to my Scottish Cup medal because my mum and dad have put it away. 'I haven't touched it since the final but hopefully it doesn't end up on ebay. 'It hasn't really sunk in what happened against Celtic and the celebrations after it with being so young. Obviously with the parade the next day it did sink in a bit but I drove home the next day and had my summer holiday. 'All the boys say, 'I think it's going to be one you look back on after your career'.' The 20-year-old has watched the highlights back of the final but nothing else. He admitted it has been a different story, who is always watching different highlights and programmes about it on YouTube. Dorrington, who started against Celtic at the weekend, added: 'I've watched the own goal back but my dad watches the game back a lot. 'I've seen bits of it but every time I walk in my dad's watching it on a different YouTube channel. 'Obviously all I could hear in the build-up was '35 years' and we just thought it was a brilliant opportunity to make it our year.' . He admitted the skipper and Nicky Devlin have been big role models for him. 'Obviously he is from Aberdeen and is a legend at the club so I was buzzing for him,' the central defender said.
