Leon Balogun: Super Eagles defender signs for Aris Limassol

Photo Credit – Cyprus top-flight club Aris Limassol.

Following his exit from Scottish Premiership giants Rangers, Nigeria international Leon Balogun has sealed a transfer to Cyprus top-flight club Aris Limassol on a one-year contract.

A statement from the club announced the arrival of the 36-year-old by saying: “Aris Limassol announces a one-year cooperation agreement with German-Nigerian Leon Balogun!

“The 36-year-old (28/06/1988) central defender was acquired as a free agent as his contract with Rangers Scotland expired. This is a footballer with performances from top leagues, such as the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga, as well as participation in the 2018 World Cup!”

The statement continued: “Balogun was born in Berlin and made his first steps in football there with Hertha. In the 2008-09 season he moved to Hannover 96, where he made his Bundesliga debut.

“In 2010 he transferred to Werder Bremen, with whom he also played in the top division of Germany, as well as in the 2. Bundesliga. From 2012 to 2014 he played for Fortuna Düsseldorf and then, he played for one season in Darmstadt.

“From 2015 to 2018, he played in the Bundesliga with Mainz 05. In the top division of Germany, he recorded a total of 75 appearances and one goal, before moving to the English Premier League for Brighton and Hove Albion. In the 2018-19 season, he recorded eight appearances and one goal with the “Seagulls” and the following season he played on loan at Wigan.”

He spent the 2020-22 season with Rangers in Scotland before spending a season with Queens Park Rangers in the Championship. In 2023, he returned to Rangers for another two years, making a total of 114 appearances for the Scottish club, during which he won a league title, a cup and a League Cup.

The 1.90m tall defender played 29 times in European competitions, scoring two goals.

On the international scene, he has played 46 games for the Super Eagles, scoring one goal, and in addition to his participation in the 2018 World Cup, he has the third-place medal from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to show for it.