August 02, (THEWILL) – Rangers have bolstered their defensive options with the re-signing of Nigerian centre-back, Leon Balogun, and the acquisition of Dutch defender, Robin Pröpper. Manager Philippe Clement outlined the rationale behind these moves ahead of the Scottish Premiership opener against Hearts.
Balogun, who rejoined Rangers last summer, played a key role in the club’s Scottish Cup victory despite initial challenges. He made 19 appearances across all competitions, including a clean sheet in the final against Aberdeen. The decision to extend his stay comes as Rangers aim to strengthen their squad in pursuit of the league title.
Clement praised Pröpper’s qualities, stating that the Dutch defender will contribute to the team’s playing style and serve as a mentor to younger players. The manager emphasised the value of having seasoned professionals like Pröpper and Balogun to guide emerging talents such as Clinton Nsiala.
The Rangers boss stressed the club’s commitment to creating a high-performance culture, where players are continuously challenged to improve. This strategy aligns with their ambition to reclaim the Scottish Premiership from rivals Celtic.
While Balogun’s future at Rangers is confirmed, uncertainty surrounds fellow Nigerian international, Cyriel Dessers. The striker has been linked with a potential move away from Ibrox, with the club reportedly open to offers.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
