Rangers have secured highly-rated Academy youngster Leon King on his first professional contract, with the 16-year-old putting his signature on a two-year deal.
The Ibrox club is said to have beaten off interest from the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and RB Leipzig [Scotsman] to secure the young centre-back’s immediate future.
The two-year deal will take King to his 18th birthday and there’s little doubt that in this period both Rangers and King will be assessing the player’s opportunities at Ibrox.
It is widely regarded as a significant piece of business for Rangers and a major coup to sign down a young player with such a high standing at youth level.
With the likes of Billy Gilmour impressing down south with Chelsea – the teenager earning a Man of the Match award in a 2-0 FA Cup win against Liverpool – King’s head could’ve easily been turned.
Gilmour moved to Chelsea from Rangers in 2017 and has this season broken through into the Premier League club’s squad despite an immensely competitive Academy at Stamford Bridge.
But Rangers fan King sees his future at the Ibrox club and his signature puts months of speculation over his future to bed.
“I am delighted we have an agreement with Leon King,” said sporting director Ross Wilson [Rangers].
“Leon has been a priority for us and we are excited about his potential. He has been demonstrating that potential both for Rangers and Scotland and we are excited about his future.
“As a Rangers fan he has a huge desire to develop his career at Rangers and is impressing the staff on a daily basis with his application and attitude.
“Leon receives fantastic support from his family as well as all of our staff at Auchenhowie who are pushing Leon to maximise his potential on a daily basis.”
Naturally, Rangers fans are delighted to have beaten off several European giants for the signature of the young centre-half:
https://twitter.com/RngrsKaden/status/1235887755139350528
https://twitter.com/Pena_Cartel/status/1235884345665171456
https://twitter.com/aberlourbear/status/1235900618226782210
https://twitter.com/Pena_Cartel/status/1235876355876818944
https://twitter.com/Jamie_Milne_03/status/1235878784286502922
https://twitter.com/FredMorelos1/status/1235888150196584450
https://twitter.com/Boothy1872/status/1235888725034438657
