Brighton and Hove Albion have made 29-year-old Nigerian international centre-half Leon Balogun our first signing of the summer.
✍🏻 BREAKING…@LeonBalogun becomes our first summer signing! 🇳🇬#WelcomeLeon #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/WcBeZ51CKP
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) May 22, 2018
He came in on Tuesday evening on a free transfer after leaving Bundesliga side FSV Mainz 05 and he has penned a two-year deal at the Amex Stadium.
Manager Chris Hughton told the Official Site about our new capture.
🖊 @LeonBalogun even brought his own pen!#WelcomeLeon #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/7jU3Pwd1wQ
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) May 22, 2018
“I am delighted to welcome Leon to the club. He will add more depth to our defensive options, and I am pleased to get our first piece of business done so early in the summer. He is in the peak years of his career and I am sure he will integrate well into the squad. He also has valuable experience, having played in the Bundesliga, the Europa League and at international level.”
The 6ft 3in defender heads in with 14 international caps to his name. He has been named in the provisional squad for Russia 2018 and he missed out on involvement in the Brazilian World Cup back in 2014 owing to injury.
With his arrival, it certainly occurred to a few that it might be a signing that precedes a further announcement of the club. Namely, the unwanted departure of Lewis Dunk given his stock continues to rise.
Fingers crossed that one certainly doesn’t come to pass.
I know little of Balogun but he was given a warm welcome on social media so hopefully, he’ll hit the ground running and adjust to life at the club quickly.
Welcome to the club @LeonBalogun !!
— Sam Peters (@SamPeters_BHAFC) May 22, 2018
Balogun our defender????
— Liam (@liambhafc1) May 22, 2018
Blimey, don't hang about! Welcome Leon
— We Are Brighton (@wearebrighton) May 22, 2018
Welcome to the club Leon. All the best for the World Cup and let’s make memories #upthealbion
— James Fahy (@justjamesfahy) May 22, 2018
Don’t be silly
— Charlie Bonner (@Charlie_Bonner) May 22, 2018
A very good addition to BHAFC. All da best, Leon!!!
— Jarex2 (@jarex2_official) May 22, 2018
To be fair that is some signing, fair play.
— Brad (@braders999) May 22, 2018
Top fella
— Sam (@samtippett_1) May 22, 2018
Great piece of early business
Welcome to the Albion Leon ??— GARETH ?? (@seagulls72) May 22, 2018