Leon Balogun
{{Short description|German-born Nigerian footballer (born 1988)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Leon Balogun
| image = Leon Balogun-Nigeria.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Balogun playing for Nigeria in 2017
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|6|28|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/player/_/id/121550/leon-balogun |title=Leon Balogun: Overview |publisher=ESPN |access-date=25 July 2020 |archive-date=13 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813133823/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/player/_/id/121550/leon-balogun |url-status=live }}
| birth_place = Berlin, West Germany
| position = Centre-back, right-back{{WorldFootball.net|leon-balogun|Leon Balogun}}
| currentclub = Rangers
| clubnumber = 27
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Hertha BSC
| youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2007
| youthclubs2 = Hertha Zehlendorf
| years1 = 2007–2008
| clubs1 = Türkiyemspor Berlin
| caps1 = 29
| goals1 = 4
| years2 = 2008–2010
| clubs2 = Hannover 96 II
| caps2 = 37
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2008–2010
| clubs3 = Hannover 96
| caps3 = 3
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2010–2012
| clubs4 = Werder Bremen II
| caps4 = 49
| goals4 = 4
| years5 = 2010–2012
| clubs5 = Werder Bremen
| caps5 = 3
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2012–2014
| clubs6 = Fortuna Düsseldorf
| caps6 = 28
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2012–2014
| clubs7 = Fortuna Düsseldorf II
| caps7 = 4
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2014–2015
| clubs8 = Darmstadt 98
| caps8 = 21
| goals8 = 4
| years9 = 2015–2018
| clubs9 = Mainz 05
| caps9 = 52
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2017
| clubs10 = Mainz 05 II
| caps10 = 1
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2018–2020
| clubs11 = Brighton & Hove Albion
| caps11 = 8
| goals11 = 1
| years12 = 2020
| clubs12 = → Wigan Athletic (loan)
| caps12 = 6
| goals12 = 0
| years13 = 2020
| clubs13 = Wigan Athletic
| caps13 = 5
| goals13 = 0
| years14 = 2020–2022
| clubs14 = Rangers
| caps14 = 40
| goals14 = 1
| years15 = 2022–2023
| clubs15 = Queens Park Rangers
| caps15 = 16
| goals15 = 1
| years16 = 2023–
| clubs16 = Rangers
| caps16 = 29
| goals16 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2014–2022
| nationalteam1 = Nigeria
| nationalcaps1 = 46
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|NGA}}}}
{{Medal|Competition|Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Medal|3rd|2019 Egypt|}}
| club-update = 22:43, 16 March 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 19:11, 13 June 2022 (UTC)
}}
Leon Aderemi Balogun (born 28 June 1988) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or right-back for {{Scottish football updater|Rangers}} club Rangers. Balogun has previously played for Türkiyemspor Berlin, Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Darmstadt 98, Mainz 05, Brighton & Hove Albion, Wigan Athletic, a previous spell at Rangers and Queens Park Rangers.
Club career
=Early career=
He made his Bundesliga debut on 19 April 2009 for Hannover 96 in a game against Hamburger SV.{{cite web | url = http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/spieltag/spielpaarungsbericht/object/863662/saison/2008-09/naviindex/1 | title = Petric als Blitzarbeiter | publisher = Kicker | access-date = 3 April 2010 | language = de | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090611072438/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/spieltag/spielpaarungsbericht/object/863662/saison/2008-09/naviindex/1 | archive-date = 11 June 2009 }}
After his contract with 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf expired in summer 2014, he was without a club for three months until he joined fellow leaguer Darmstadt 98. He signed a contract until the end of the 2014–15 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.sv98.de/news/1_mannschaft/details/datum/2014/10/02/lilien-verstaerken-sich-mit-leon-balogun.htm|title=Lilien verstärken sich mit Leon Balogun|trans-title=Lilien strengthens with Leon Balogun|date=2 October 2014|access-date=12 March 2015|language=de|publisher=SV Darmstadt 98|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004075233/http://www.sv98.de/news/1_mannschaft/details/datum/2014/10/02/lilien-verstaerken-sich-mit-leon-balogun.htm|archive-date=4 October 2014}}
=Brighton & Hove Albion=
On 22 May 2018, Balogun signed a two-year deal with Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44217096|title=Leon Balogun: Brighton sign Nigeria international on free transfer|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 May 2018|access-date=16 June 2018|archive-date=5 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805132317/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44217096|url-status=live}}
Balogun made his competitive debut for the Sussex club coming on as an early substitute against Manchester United replacing injured Lewis Dunk. The Seagulls went on to beat United 3–2 at Falmer Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45159603|title=Brighton 3–2 Man Utd: Brighton score three first-half goals to stun visitors – BBC Sport|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 August 2018|access-date=31 August 2018|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510075922/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45159603|url-status=live}}
He scored his first goal for the Albion to make it 2–0 against bitter rivals Crystal Palace at Falmer Stadium where he scored in 25 seconds after being subbed on replacing Pascal Groß as a result of a Shane Duffy red card for head butting. The game finished 3–1 to the Albion to claim the boasting rights in the M23 derby.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46353455|title=Brighton 3–1 Crystal Palace: Ten-man Seagulls sweep Eagles aside – BBC Sport|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 December 2018|access-date=5 December 2018|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330164436/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46353455|url-status=live}}
On 27 August 2019, Balogun played in his first ever EFL Cup match in a 2–1 away win over Bristol Rovers.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49402996 |title=Bristol Rovers v Brighton & Hove Albion - BBC Sport |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 August 2019 |access-date=27 August 2019 |archive-date=27 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827203722/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49402996 |url-status=live }}
=Wigan Athletic=
Balogun signed for Wigan Athletic on 31 January 2020 on a six-month loan deal.{{cite news |url=https://wiganathletic.com/news/2020/january/Latics-complete-loan-signing-of-Brighton-Hove-Albion-defender-Leon-Balogun/ |title=LATICS COMPLETE LOAN SIGNING OF BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION DEFENDER LEON BALOGUN |publisher=Wigan Athletic FC |date=31 January 2020 |access-date=31 January 2020 |archive-date=31 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131235159/https://wiganathletic.com/news/2020/january/Latics-complete-loan-signing-of-Brighton-Hove-Albion-defender-Leon-Balogun/ |url-status=live }} On 25 June 2020, he signed a short term permanent contract with the Latics until the end of the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |title=Update | Wigan Athletic Player Contracts |date=26 June 2020 |url=https://wiganathletic.com/news/2020/june/Update-Wigan-Athletic-Player-Contracts/ |publisher=Wigan Athletic |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628010034/https://wiganathletic.com/news/2020/june/Update-Wigan-Athletic-Player-Contracts/ |url-status=live }}
=Rangers=
Balogun signed for Scottish Premiership club Rangers on 24 July 2020 on a one-year contract, with an option in the club's favour to extend for a further year.{{cite web |url=https://www.rangers.co.uk/article/rangers-sign-leon-balogun/4dgSPcsFODzzFSopsYeTJP |title=Rangers sign Leon Balogun |publisher=Rangers F.C. |date=24 July 2020 |access-date=25 July 2020 |archive-date=24 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724173538/https://www.rangers.co.uk/article/rangers-sign-leon-balogun/4dgSPcsFODzzFSopsYeTJP |url-status=live }} He made his debut for Rangers a week later, on 1 August, in a Scottish Premiership match against Aberdeen where he impressed during a 1–0 win.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53535016 | title=Aberdeen 0-1 Rangers | publisher=BBC | work=BBC Sport | date=1 August 2020 | first=Clive | last=Lindsay | access-date=23 February 2021 | archive-date=12 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412020937/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53535016 | url-status=live }} During February 2021, he deputised at right back after an injury to club captain James Tavernier and the suspension of reserve player Nathan Patterson. Balogun previously played at right back earlier in his career when in Germany.{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/leon-balogun-prepared-to-park-his-ego-to-play-at-right-back-332gf30zp | title=Leon Balogun prepared to park his ego to play at right back | work=The Times | first=Paul | last=Forsyth | date=20 February 2021 | access-date=23 February 2021 | archive-date=21 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221061124/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/leon-balogun-prepared-to-park-his-ego-to-play-at-right-back-332gf30zp | url-status=live }}
On 9 April 2021, Balogun signed a new one-year contract with Rangers.{{cite web|url=https://www.rangers.co.uk/article/leon-balogun-extends-his-rangers-contract/4kavOaT3NmmrTRSVs6m5PE|title=LEON BALOGUN EXTENDS HIS RANGERS CONTRACT|publisher=Rangers FC|date=9 April 2021|access-date=9 April 2021|archive-date=28 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128091008/https://www.rangers.co.uk/Article/leon-balogun-extends-his-rangers-contract/4kavOaT3NmmrTRSVs6m5PE|url-status=live}} He scored his first goal for the club on 27 October 2021, in a Europa League group stage match against Brøndby IF.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12440476/rangers-2-0-brondby-leon-balogun-and-kemar-roofe-on-target-at-ibrox|title=Rangers 2-0 Brondby: Leon Balogun and Kemar Roofe on target at Ibrox|publisher=Sky Sports News|date=22 October 2021|access-date=8 November 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109014717/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12440476/rangers-2-0-brondby-leon-balogun-and-kemar-roofe-on-target-at-ibrox|url-status=live}} Balogun left Rangers in June 2022 after his contract expired, with his final appearance coming in their 2022 Scottish Cup Final victory.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61685938 | title=Rangers: Leon Balogun exits at end of contract along with Andy Firth | work=BBC Sport | publisher=BBC | date=3 June 2022 | access-date=3 June 2022 | archive-date=3 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603185240/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61685938 | url-status=live }} Rangers legend Ally McCoist commented two months later that he had been "surprised" by Balogun's departure, and suggested that the club should re-sign him.{{cite web |url=https://news.stv.tv/sport/ally-mccoist-and-kenny-miller-urge-rangers-to-re-sign-leon-balogun-following-psv-eindhoven-draw |title=Ally McCoist and Kenny Miller urge Rangers to re-sign Leon Balogun following PSV Eindhoven draw |website=STV News |first=Peter |last=Cassidy |date=17 August 2022 |accessdate=21 August 2022 |archive-date=17 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817093844/https://news.stv.tv/sport/ally-mccoist-and-kenny-miller-urge-rangers-to-re-sign-leon-balogun-following-psv-eindhoven-draw |url-status=live }}
=Queens Park Rangers=
Balogun signed a one-year contract with Queens Park Rangers on 26 August 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62694637 |title=Leon Balogun: QPR sign ex-Rangers defender on one-year deal |website=BBC Sport |date=26 August 2022 |accessdate=26 August 2022 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826174234/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62694637 |url-status=live }} He scored his first goal for the club on 22 October 2022, which proved to be the winner, against his former club Wigan Athletic.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63266866 | title=QPR hold off Wigan pressure to stay top | work=BBC Sport | access-date=22 October 2022 | archive-date=22 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022173117/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63266866 | url-status=live }}
=Return to Rangers=
He returned to Rangers on 12 July 2023, a year after departing from the club as a free agent. His return was one celebrated by the club and its fans, as well as Balogun himself, who felt as though he had “come home”.{{cite web|url=https://www.rangers.co.uk/article/leon-balogun-it-feels-like-coming-home/5aVGph43dCQMdZwmTlWmil|title=Leon Balogun: It Feels Like Coming Home|website=Rangers F.C.|date=12 July 2023|accessdate=17 December 2023|archive-date=17 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217214829/https://www.rangers.co.uk/article/leon-balogun-it-feels-like-coming-home/5aVGph43dCQMdZwmTlWmil|url-status=live}}
International career
File:FWC 2018 - Group D - NGA v ISL - Photo 21.jpg at the 2018 FIFA World Cup]]
Born to a Nigerian father and German mother, Balogun was called up by Nigeria for a March 2014 friendly against Mexico as a replacement for Joseph Yobo.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/26433716|title=Joseph Yobo ruled out of Nigeria friendly against Mexico|date=4 March 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 May 2018|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924202541/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26433716|url-status=live}} Balogun entered at half-time, but was injured after 20 minutes in a collision with signage on the touchline. He fractured his foot and was set to miss 2–3 months after surgery. However, he later confirmed to news media that his injury did not require surgery.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtnfootball.com/international/fifa-world-cup-2014/news/2014/mar/07-new-eagles-star-balogun-out-for-2-months.html |title=New Eagles star Balogun out for 2 months |access-date=7 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307153416/http://www.mtnfootball.com/international/fifa-world-cup-2014/news/2014/mar/07-new-eagles-star-balogun-out-for-2-months.html| work=MTNFootball.com|archive-date=7 March 2014 }}{{Cite news|url=http://www.supersport.com/football/super-eagles/news/140314/Eagles_Balogun_on_the_mend|title=Eagles' Balogun on the mend|first=Sammy|last=Wejinya|publisher=SuperSport|date=14 March 2014|access-date=5 June 2018|language=en-ZA|archive-date=22 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122061639/https://www.supersport.com/football/super-eagles/news/140314/eagles_balogun_on_the_mend|url-status=live}}
On 25 March 2015, he played his second game for Nigeria in a 1–0 loss against Uganda.
He played his third game for the country on 13 June 2015 when he featured in a 2–0 win over Chad in the opening game of qualifying for the 2017 African Nations Cup.
In June 2018, he was named in Nigeria's final 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.{{cite news |last=Udoh |first=Colin |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/nigeria/story/3516588/nigeria-super-eagles-drop-ola-ainamikel-agu-from-world-cup-squad |title=Super Eagles drop Aina, Agu from World Cup squad |publisher=ESPN |date=3 June 2018 |access-date=5 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143440/http://www.espn.com/soccer/nigeria/story/3516588/nigeria-super-eagles-drop-ola-ainamikel-agu-from-world-cup-squad |url-status=live }} Balogun played in every minute of the three games Nigeria played in, including a 2–0 win over Iceland, but were eliminated after finishing 3rd in their group.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup|publisher=BBC Sport|title=World Cup - Football - BBC Sport|access-date=26 June 2019|archive-date=2 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702035250/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup|url-status=live}}
Balogun was included in Nigeria's squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/nigeria|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Nigeria - Football - BBC Sport|access-date=26 June 2019|archive-date=23 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623092341/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/nigeria|url-status=live}} His first appearance in the competition came in Nigeria's second group game against Guinea in which Nigeria won 1–0 to seal qualification into the knockouts.{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/48775948 |title= Africa Cup of Nations: Nigeria 1-0 Guinea - Omeruo header seals qualification |work= BBC Sport |date= 26 June 2019 |publisher= Sport |access-date= 26 June 2019 |archive-date= 26 June 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190626143535/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/48775948 |url-status= live }} Balogun made 4 appearances in the competition where The Super Eagles finished as bronze medallists.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/49022063|title=Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off - Tunisia 0–1 Nigeria - Live - BBC Sport|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 July 2019|access-date=20 July 2019|archive-date=17 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717234341/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/49022063|url-status=live}}
Personal life
Balogun was born in Berlin, West Germany{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/leon-balogun/ |title=Leon Balogun: Profile |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=25 July 2020 |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725175821/https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/leon-balogun/ |url-status=live }} to a Nigerian-Yoruba father and a German mother. Balogun was raised Roman Catholic and attended a Catholic primary school, but was not religious as a child. However, during the hardships of his early footballing career he became more devout.{{cite web|title=Bologun said he found strength in religion when he was struggling to make the grade as a teenager.|url=https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/leon-balogun-reveals-how-he-found-god-id7296174.html|website=pulse.ng|first=Steve|last=Dede|date=11 September 2017|access-date=25 August 2018|archive-date=26 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826080739/https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/leon-balogun-reveals-how-he-found-god-id7296174.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/leon-balogun-what-can-premier-league-fans-expect-from-nigeria-star/18c388mesyslg1nlmkntu7waba|title=Leon Balogun: What can Premier League fans expect from Nigeria star?|first=Patrick|last=Gleeson|date=16 June 2018|access-date=25 August 2018|publisher=Sporting News|archive-date=26 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826113458/http://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/leon-balogun-what-can-premier-league-fans-expect-from-nigeria-star/18c388mesyslg1nlmkntu7waba|url-status=live}} Balogun speaks fluent English and German, but does not speak Yoruba, as his parents tried to assimilate him into German culture.{{cite web|title=Why I did not learn Yoruba — Leon Balogun|url=http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/sports/why-i-did-not-learn-yoruba-%E2%80%94-leon-balogun.html|date=23 March 2014|access-date=25 August 2018|work=Nigeria Village Square|archive-date=26 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826114826/http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/sports/why-i-did-not-learn-yoruba-%E2%80%94-leon-balogun.html|url-status=dead}}
In November 2019 Balogun said there needed to be a collective response from players to racism in football.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50658573|title=Nigeria's Leon Balogun says fight against racism is a collective responsibility|work=BBC Sport|date=5 December 2019|access-date=5 December 2019|archive-date=5 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205140009/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50658573|url-status=live}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 16 March 2025}}{{soccerway|leon-balogun/39466}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes DFB-Pokal, FA Cup, Scottish Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Hannover 96 II
|21 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 1 | ||||
| 2009–10
|Regionalliga Nord |16 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!37 | 1 | colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||37 | 1 | |||||||
| rowspan="3"|Hannover 96
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2009–10
|Bundesliga |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Werder Bremen II
|29 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 1 | ||||
| 2011–12
|3. Liga |20 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 3 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!49 | 4 | colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||49 | 4 | |||||||
| rowspan="3"|Werder Bremen
|Bundesliga |3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12
|Bundesliga |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|—||0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Fortuna Düsseldorf II
|2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 1 | ||||
| 2013–14
|Regionalliga West |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!4 | 1 | colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||4 | 1 | |||||||
| rowspan="3"|Fortuna Düsseldorf
|Bundesliga |17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 0 | |||
| 2013–14
|11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!28 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 0 | |||
| Darmstadt 98
|2. Bundesliga |21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 4 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Mainz 05
|Bundesliga |21 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 1 | |||
| 2016–17
|Bundesliga |17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 20 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18
|Bundesliga |14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!52 | 1 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|—||2 | 0 | 58 | 1 | |||
| Mainz 05 II
|3. Liga |1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan=3|Brighton & Hove Albion
|8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 1 | ||
| 2019–20
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 1 | ||
| Wigan Athletic (loan)
|6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | ||
| Wigan Athletic
|2019–20 |Championship |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | ||
| rowspan=3|Rangers
|19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
| 2021–22
|Scottish Premiership |21 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11{{efn|One appearance in UEFA Champions League, ten appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa League}} | 2 | 37 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!40 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 65 | 2 | |
| Queens Park Rangers
|Championship |16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 1 | ||
| rowspan=3|Rangers
|Scottish Premiership |14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| 2024–25
|Scottish Premiership |15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6{{efn|One appearance in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 23 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!29 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 42 | 1 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!302 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 351 | 15 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 13 June 2022}}{{NFT player|54842|Leon Balogun|access-date=23 June 2018}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="9"|Nigeria
|2014 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 46 | 1 |
:Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Balogun goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Leon Balogun | ||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align="center"|1 | 10 October 2021 | Japoma Stadium, Douala, Cameroon | {{fb|CTA}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Honours
Rangers
- Scottish Premiership: 2020–21{{cite news|title=Rangers top-flight champions for first time since 2011 after Celtic drop points|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56306235|work=BBC Sport|date=7 March 2021|access-date=7 March 2021|archive-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307142205/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56306235|url-status=live}}
- Scottish Cup: 2021–22{{cite news|title=Rangers 2-0 Hearts|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61447048|work=BBC Sport|date=21 May 2022|access-date=21 May 2022|archive-date=21 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521074220/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61447048|url-status=live}}
- Scottish League Cup: 2023–24{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67684521|title=Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen|website=BBC|date=17 December 2023|accessdate=17 December 2023|archive-date=16 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216215528/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67684521|url-status=live}}
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2021–22{{cite news|title=Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61446268|work=BBC Sport|date=18 May 2022|access-date=18 May 2022|archive-date=18 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518000159/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61446268|url-status=live}}
Nigeria
- Africa Cup of Nations third place: 2019
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase|53911}}
{{commons category}}
- {{Fussballdaten|balogunleon|Leon Balogun}}
{{Rangers F.C. squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Nigeria squads
| bg = #008751
| fg = white
| bordercolor = #00703C
| list1 =
{{Nigeria squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Nigeria squad 2019 Africa Cup of Nations}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Balogun, Leon}}
Category:Converts to Christianity from atheism or agnosticism
Category:Footballers from Berlin
Category:German men's footballers
Category:Nigerian men's footballers
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Men's association football fullbacks
Category:Nigeria men's international footballers
Category:2018 FIFA World Cup players
Category:2019 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:Türkiyemspor Berlin players
Category:Hannover 96 II players
Category:SV Werder Bremen II players
Category:SV Werder Bremen players
Category:Fortuna Düsseldorf II players
Category:Fortuna Düsseldorf players
Category:SV Darmstadt 98 players
Category:1. FSV Mainz 05 players
Category:1. FSV Mainz 05 II players
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players
Category:2. Bundesliga players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:German expatriate men's footballers
Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers
Category:German expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Scotland
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Scotland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland
Category:German sportspeople of Nigerian descent
Category:German people of Yoruba descent
Category:Nigerian people of German descent
Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. players