Ex-Rangers star links up with former team-mate Connor Goldson in surprise move to Cyprus
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LEON BALOGUN has signed a one-year deal with Cypriot club Aris Limassol and will link up again with former Ibrox defensive partner Connor Goldson.
The veteran Nigerian international was released this summer after ending his second spell at Ibrox.
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Leon Balogun left Rangers for a second time this summer
Credit: SNS
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Now he's starting the next chapter of his career alongside an old team mate
Credit: Willie Vass
And the 36-year-old has opted for a surprise move to Cyprus with league runners-up Aris.
The club stated: "He is a footballer who has played in the top leagues of the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga, as well as the 2018 World Cup.
"He made a total of 114 appearances for Rangers over two spells, during which he won a league title, a Scottish Cup and a League Cup.
"We wish him every success at the club."
Balogun and Goldson played together in both of Rangers' recent cup triumphs - in the 2022 Scottish Cup win over Hearts and the League Cup victory against Aberdeen a year later.
Goldson, 32, made 22 starts for Aris in the Cypriot League since his arrival from Glasgow.
Balogun was mentioned in connection with a move to Aris last week.
And all parties were able to work out a deal quickly.
Balogun was gutted to not be kept on at Rangers after the regime change, with the new American ownership group led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises deeming him surplus to requirements.
He opened up on how sad it was to leave the club - particularly because he wasn't given a chance to say goodbye to the fans.
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Balogun said on Instagram: "It's that time again.
"No caption could summarise all that is going through my mind as I'm writing these lines.
"It's been nothing short of an honour, a pleasure and a great, great privilege to represent this massive club - twice!
"So many memories, good ones as well as a few tough ones.
"But it's the latter especially that made my love for the club grow even stronger.
"The moments when we all stuck together and went again - no matter the disappointment or frustration. In these moments the club revealed what makes it most special: YOU.
"The people supporting us week in week out, near and far, demanding, expecting, pushing us to do better and go for glory.
"The people working for the club behind the scenes, meeting us with a smile everyday, doing their absolute best to contribute to the success of the club in their own way. You're the heartbeat of the club and it's been an honour to represent you!
"If I would have known that the last two games of the season were my last for the club I would have made sure to say goodbye to all of you accordingly.
"Unfortunately I wasn't afforded that opportunity which saddens me as I would have liked to have walked round Ibrox one last time and returned all the love and support you've given me during my 2 stints.
"I don't know when I'll be back, but I promise I won't be a stranger.
"Thank you for making me feel at home and appreciated wherever we met.
"You've become more than just my club, you've become family.
"And for that I will be forever grateful."
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