Nigeria and Rangers defender Leon Balogun has stated he’s open to a transfer to the Saudi Professional League when his contract expires this summer time.
The 36-year-old has performed extra minutes for Rangers this season than he did all through the final marketing campaign, proving his significance to Philippe Clement’s squad. He has featured in 19 video games throughout all competitions, scoring one objective and offering an help.
When requested about the potential of becoming a member of the Saudi Professional League, Balogun admitted that many components would affect his determination however didn’t rule out enjoying within the Center East.
“I received’t run away from it. If the appropriate provide comes and it advantages not simply me however these round me, then I’ll contemplate it. However for now, it hasn’t come up,” Balogun stated in an interview with Ay Suga Naija Way of life.
“I wish to be easy, and clearly, cash performs a giant position in these discussions. Final 12 months, there was a rush of gamers going there, and they’re making an attempt to construct one thing over the subsequent 5 – 6 years to make the league extra enticing,” he added.
The previous Brighton & Hove Albion defender additionally acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance their league, saying they’re taking a long-term strategy quite than making an attempt to compete with the Premier League.
“They’re conscious of how necessary cash is, and they’re utilizing it properly. If I had been them, I’d do the identical,” Balogun concluded.
Hopes for Tremendous Eagles Return
Balogun, who final performed for Nigeria in June 2022, has earned 46 caps for the Tremendous Eagles since making his debut in 2014. He has expressed his need to return to the nationwide workforce as they put together for his or her 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria will face Rwanda on nineteenth March earlier than returning house to play Zimbabwe on the Godswill Akpabio Worldwide Stadium in Uyo on twenty second March.