'Forever grateful' Balogun confirms Rangers exit
Leon Balogun has confirmed his Rangers exit, saying it has been a "great, great privilege" to play for "this massive club".Having departed in summer 2022 after helping Rangers win the title in his initial two-year spell, the Nigeria defender returned 12 months later and has made 49 appearances in his second stint.Balogun is now out of contract and while Rangers are yet to confirm his departure, the 36-year-old has said his farewells in a social media post., external"It's been nothing short of an honour, a pleasure and a great, great privilege to represent this massive club - twice," he said."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."Balogun regrets that he was not given the chance of a goodbye in front of the Rangers support."Unfortunately I wasn't afforded that opportunity, which saddens me as I would have liked to to have walked round Ibrox one last time and returned all the love and support you've given me during my two stints," he added."I don't know when I'll be back, but I promise I won't be a stranger. You've become more than just my club, you've become family. And for that I will be forever grateful."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
26 minutes ago
- BBC News
Idah insists he can handle 'big pressure' at Celtic
Striker Adam Idah is convinced he can handle the "big pressure" that comes with playing for 24-year-old, who completed a reported £9.5m switch from Norwich to Celtic Park last summer after a successful loan spell, finished the campaign with 20 goals despite making almost half his 53 appearances from the he also suffered testing periods, not least after a video of him apparently vomiting from a taxi circulated on social media, prompting a stern defence from manager Brendan about the pressure, Idah said: "The pressure is a lot and you are expected to deliver. I think with my experience now, you have to put that behind you. You know what you are good at."If you don't score for a couple of games, it is not helpful to listen to an ex-player. I am not really concerned with what he thinks - I am there to do my bit."I had a good run in the last few games, but I know it can turn quick. That is football. There have been plenty of games I have gone without scoring in, you have to stay focused and help the team."There is a lot of pressure at the club to be successful. It is good, I think. Every player wants to play at a big club, but what comes with a big club is the pressure."Rodgers' backing was welcome, but Idah has vowed to continue to live his life despite having to do so in the spotlight at times."At the end of the day I am a human being," he added. "I go out. I don't have to stay inside all the time. It's hard when people are videoing you, it can be quite upsetting, especially when the story is made out to be what it is not."It can be tough, but like I said, I am human and I'm going to carry on with my life."
Daily Mail
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Club World Cup winners will get to wear special golden badge for FOUR YEARS
The winner of this summer's highly-anticipated Club World Cup will get to wear a special badge on their shirts for the next four years. The tournament will get underway on June 14, kicking off a busy month of football for the 32 teams involved. It will be held at various venues across the United States and involve the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG. And the first winner of the expanded version of the competition will have a a golden badge on their shirts recognising their achievement until the next edition takes place in 2029. The design of the crest is yet to be revealed but it will likely be similar to the one Man City have had on their kit since they won the Club World Cup two years ago. City have been allowed to wear it for back-to-back campaigns as the tournament did not take place in 2024 with the Fifa Intercontinental Cup taking place instead. This year's tournament will consist of 32 teams a stark contrast compared to the old format which only included seven teams from the six FIFA confederations. As a result of the expanded pot of teams, instead of seven games being played across 11 days, the event will see 63 fixtures crammed into 28 days. While the competition may be viewed as an after-thought by some fans, it comes with a lucrative award - as the winners of the tournament will receive up to £97million ($125million) from FIFA. A £774million ($1billion) will be shared between the 32 clubs - in addition to a £406million ($525million) participation fee shared based on sporting and commercial criteria, with a further £368million ($475million) shared based on sporting performance.
BBC News
41 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Best I've seen Scotland play in five years'
We asked for your views on Scotland's 1-1 draw away to Netherlands in their final Nations League outing and Melissa Andreatta's second match in what some of you said:Iain: It's the first time in recent years that I've seen a Scottish women's team have a go. Great to watch the second half A great performance from the Scottish Women. Well deserved. We move Definitely an improvement, great second C: What a fantastic battling performance. So much Well off the pace defensively for the first 20 minutes but grew into the game. Intensity was much better in the second half. Great to see Mia McAulay, Kathleen McGovern, Emma Lawton and Kirsty Maclean doing well, four promising young The best I've seen from this team in years, that took the game forward instead of sitting back and Much better game, especially second half! Great to Much-improved performance from the sometimes dire stuff over the last few years. Making things happen instead of hoping they would happen. Restoring my faith in watching some exciting football again from Let's give credit when it's due. Erin Cuthbert was Four halves of football, and you could see the improvement in each half. That second half was the best I've seen Scotland play in at least five years. Good to see a system where Caroline Weir and Cuthbert looked like the world-class players they Lots more energy and promise under the new coach, hopefully a start of a good new era in Scottish That was a good positive performance by the ladies. The new coach seems to be instilling a belief in the players, that can only stand us in good stead going forward.
