WORLD CUP WATCH: Nigeria’s Leon Balogun signs for Brighton

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday May 23, 2018. 09:30

Nigerian international defender Leon Balogun has joined Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion from Bundesliga side FSV Mainz.

The 29-year-old centre-back has signed a two-year contract with the Seagulls after becoming available on a free transfer.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton told the club's official website: “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'm 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.”

Balogun could feature for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, having been named in the Super Eagles’ 30-man preliminary squad earlier in the month. He first played for the African country in March 2014.

The Berlin-born player has also represented the likes of Hannover, Werder Bremen, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Darmstadt in his club career.