It was hard getting a club - Leon Balogun opens up on his trial before joining QPR
Nigeria Super Eagles defender, Leon Balogun has opened up on his ordeal in getting another club after he left Glasgow Rangers.
He speaks of how it was obvious he was needed despite his love for the club. He added that he had wanted to stay despite being in Limbo.
Balogun narrated that it was a hard time for him as he had to play for some time with guys to keep fit as there no club calling.
Speaking to the Beautiful Game podcast, he said: "It was a sad departure from Rangers. I love the club and got infected with the blue fever and I will be for life. It’s not that I’m regretting being at QPR now but for me, it was a heartbreak. I did not leave Rangers. I got released. That’s a fair way to put it.
"I didn’t really expect it. At one point down the line I got prepared but I didn’t expect it. I never received an offer. We were talking but I never received an offer.
"There were conversations and I asked my agent around March what was going on because my contract was coming to an end. I didn’t have to tell him I want to stay, I love the club and I feel like I found my football home. That’s what one of the masseuses, Disco, said: ‘Leon, you found a home here’.
"That hit home with me because I had never thought about it like that but you know what Disco, you were right. I asked him and he said we’re going to have talks with them and see what they’re saying.
There were a few players older who’s contracts came to an end and it was kind of being in that successful and busy phase of being in two semi-finals, one against Celtic, another against Leipzig in the Europa League so it was just that they were going to have a meeting and there would be an imminent decision but it was just dragging on and dragging on.
They were talking about the contract and how they think it can look but it was pretty much about agreeing a base of how we’re going to carry on.
"To me it felt like a drag. We sent an offer then a few days before the contract ended. Didn’t hear back from them and then on the 31st May I got a call saying no they aren’t going to do it.
"From what I’ve been told it’s been a bit of the manager not being too sure about it and the sporting director tried to convince him and it was a constant back and forth. At one point I thought okay, it’s going to go quite quick because at one point they said they want to keep me and we’re going to find a solution and then on the final day they said no and they think it’s better 100% decision and it’s better for the work relationship that they let things end.
Balogun has been a revelation since joining Queen Parks Rangers in the English Championship and reports have it that he could return to Rangers of Scotland following the return of Coach Michael Beale.
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