Leon Balogun: Super Eagles Star Reveals Why He Was Rejected by Clubs Before Joining QPR

Leon Balogun: Super Eagles Star Reveals Why He Was Rejected by Clubs Before Joining QPR

Ibitoye Shittu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:15 PM
  • Leon Balogun has stated that clubs in Europe rejected him during the transfer window before he joined QPR
  • The 34-year-old Nigerian defender said that clubs were concerned about his age and that was why they did not sign him
  • Balogun has scored his first goal for QPR and he could be called for Super Eagles' coming games against Costa Rica and Portugal

Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun has explained that it took him so long to get another side after leaving Rangers because clubs rejected him due to his age.

The 34-year-old Nigerian left Rangers in June after the expiration of his contract featuring for the club for two seasons.

Balogun spent two months at home training to be fit before Queens Park Rangers agreed to sign the Nigerian on a one-year deal on August 22.

Leon Balogun, QPR, Rangers, Super Eagles, age, 34
Nigerian defender Leon Balogun while in action for Rangers. Photo by Mark Runnacles
Source: Getty Images

He has also scored his first goal for QPR getting it against Wigan on Sunday, 23 October.

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According to the report on GOAL, Balogun made it clear that it was really his age that made him wait for two months.

Leon Balogun's reaction about age

“I stayed up in Glasgow the whole time just trying to stay fit and not to lose my mind, but it was very, very challenging. I can’t lie.
“That’s the game nowadays. They see a certain number, which is the age, and they are like ‘nah’.
“When QPR really had a go at me, I was like ‘right, let’s get this over the line. Let me reunite with Mick and see if we can be as successful as possible.''

Awoniyi reacts on Liverpool goal

Earlier, Sports Brief had reported how Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who was the hero as Nottingham Forest defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the Premier League, has revealed why he decided not to celebrate against the Reds.

The 25-year-old tucked home from close range after his initial effort bounced off the woodwork before he put the ball into the net as Forest won the tie 1-0.

Born in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, Awoniyi was poached from the local club Imperial Soccer Academy by Liverpool in 2015.

He was a Liverpool player for seven years but made no single appearance for the club, having been sent on loan to several clubs in Europe before he got a permanent deal with German side Union Berlin.

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Ibitoye Shittu
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