‘Great drive, physicality and technique’: Rangers defender tipped to impress at Ibrox this season

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Glasgow Rangers defender Leon Balogun has been praised by Beram Kayal, who played alongside the Ibrox newcomer and knows him well.

The Berlin-born ace has spent the majority of his career in Germany, before beginning his journey in British football with a move to Brighton – where Kayal was at the time – in 2018.

Balogun made 12 competitive appearances for Brighton before heading out on loan to Wigan in January.

With his Seagulls contract running out, he penned a short team with the Latics to see out the English Championship season.

He made 11 league appearances for Wigan and, with their season ending on Wednesday, he arrives at Ibrox match-sharp and ready to step in following Nikola Katic’s injury.

Kayal, who made 132 appearances for Celtic between 2010 and 2015 before moving to Brighton, couldn’t sing his former teammate’s praises highly enough.

“Leon is a very good central defender,” he told the Glasgow Times. “I rate him very highly. He is excellent on the ball and has presence. He has great drive, physicality and technique. He is a good fit for Scottish football.

“He has been unlucky with the game time he has had at Brighton. We have a few good players who can play in his position. We saw how good he was in his first season, but then he had a shoulder injury which put him out for a while. When he got fit again the team was playing well and it was difficult for him to get involved.

“But he is in his prime as a defender. He is a superb professional. He is always doing extra work on his game on the training ground. He is a good guy as well. He will be a great character for Rangers to have in the dressing room.”

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Balogun has not only been praised by Gerrard and Ross Wilson, but also by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who deemed him a “fantastic” player last year, while many Brighton fans and Wigan supporters also had good things to say about him on social media.

With Kayal now singing his former teammate’s praises, it really makes you realise just how well Rangers have done to get their hands on a talented, experienced and match-fit player ahead of an important season – and without having to pay a transfer fee.