Rangers have released defender Leon Balogun despite his public pleas to stay on at the club after the Scottish Cup Final.
An emotional Balogun, 33, made an appeal to the Rangers board in the aftermath of the victory over Hearts and insisted the Ibrox club had gotten into his heart.
“Anyone who knows how I move around the club and within the club, know I have absolutely fallen in love with this club,” said Balogun [STV].
“As I described, getting knocked down and getting back up, is like my career. That is why me and Rangers are quite a good fit.
“I would love to stay. I think they know that and I hope I can announce something about my future with Rangers soon.”
But the Nigerian international’s prayers have gone unanswered as the club announced the departure of Leon Balogun at the end of his contract [Rangers].
It is not clear if Connor Goldson’s decision to sign a new contract has had a knock on effect on Leon Balogun’s Rangers career.
The Gers announced a four-year deal for near eternally ever-present Goldson earlier in the week and perhaps any deal for Leon Balogun depended on the situation with the Rangers vice-captain.
The Light Blues have also signed Hearts and Scotland centre-back John Souttar ahead of the new campaign and the 25-year-old immediately overtakes Leon Balogun in the Ibrox pecking order.
Rangers wish Leon Balogun all the best as he leaves club
Rangers, the club’s fans and everyone associated with the club will almost certainly wish Leon Balogun the best in his career but there is no room for sentimentality in football.
The Gers face a tight window where they are tasked with improving the team and clearly the Ibrox hierarchy believe the budget would be better spent elsewhere.
In total Leon Balogun made 65 appearances and scored two goals for the club, both in the Europa League against Brondby and Red Star Belgrade on the road to the competition’s Final last season.
Back-up goalkeeper Andy Firth – known to be an influential behind the scenes member of the squad – also said his goodbyes following his release from Ibrox.
Meanwhile, a Premier League club are targeting revenge on Rangers after the Gers pipped them to a reportedly top summer target.