Todd Cantwell has sent a message to Leon King after the defender confirmed his emotional departure from Rangers following 17 years at the club.
King took to Instagram on Monday to announce he would be leaving Ibrox, joining a number of players to have confirmed their exits in recent days, including fellow academy graduate Kieran Wright.
The 21-year-old’s heartfelt post drew an outpouring of support from other Rangers players, fans, and former teammates alike in the hours that followed.
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King’s farewell draws Cantwell response
In an emotional message, King reflected on a journey that began when he arrived at Auchenhowie as a five-year-old and ended with 50 appearances, a league title, Scottish Cup, League Cup and a European final to his name.
He paid tribute to academy coaches and behind-the-scenes staff, singling out David Lavery, Steve Walker and Jimmy Bell by name, before reserving special thanks for Steven Gerrard, who handed him his debut at 16, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, under whom he experienced UEFA Champions League football.
The centre-back signed off by telling supporters he would “go back to being one of you” – a line that captured just how deeply Rangers run through him.
Among those moved to respond was Cantwell, who kept his message simple but warm, commenting “Kingyyyyy” on the post in an affectionate farewell to his former teammate.
Cantwell remains infamous at Rangers
Cantwell’s appearance in King’s comments section will not be without irony for some Gers supporters, given the circumstances of his own Ibrox exit.
The midfielder left Rangers for Blackburn Rovers in August 2024 after a turbulent few final months at the club, handing in two transfer requests and training away from the first team following a falling out with Philippe Clement.
His subsequent Instagram activity, widely interpreted as a dig at Clement after leaving, drew widespread criticism from the fanbase, with many supporters labelling him a bad egg whose attitude never matched his undeniable talent.
Whatever the history, Cantwell’s response to King’s farewell was a reminder that his affection for at least some of his former teammates remains genuine.
