Rangers forgotten man could be set for a loan move out of Ibrox, to a shock location.
Leon King, part of the now infamous ‘bomb squad’ that once featured the likes of Robin Propper, Ridvan Yilmaz and Jose Cifuentes remains at Rangers despite the transfer deadline fast approaching.
The defender appeared for head coach Russell Martin in his debut friendly match against Club Brugge, appearing alongside the aforementioned Propper, who has since departed to FC Twente. Both were poor as Rangers went two goals down early doors and neither featured again.
King has been told he can depart his boyhood club this summer, entering the final year of his contract he has simply not made the grade, he looks likely to join Raith Rovers on loan, with whom Rangers have a co-operation agreement.
The co-operation agreement allows players to move freely between clubs outwith the transfer window, which closes tonight at midnight, and Rangers may utilize this link with the Kirkaldy club to work round a difficult squad issue.
Despite the 21-year old being made surplus to requirements he has been in every European squad for Martin so far, due to the fact he is club trained, and the side need four registered in their squad.
With the co-operation agreement Rangers could name King in their Europa League squad for the season, whilst still allowing him to play football at the Starks Park club.
King broke through into the Rangers first team under Steven Gerrard in 2020, debuting against Falkirk in the League Cup. He played in the league against Livingston and was awarded a SPFL Premiership winners medal that year.
He became a regular under the management of Giovanni Van Bronkhorst during an injury crisis in 2022, appearing in 23 matches that season, including all six of Rangers UEFA Champions League group stage matches.
Rangers lost all games, including 7-1 at Ibrox to English side Liverpool, and King’s confidence clearly took a hit, and he was never able to regain his place in the side following the appointment of Michael Beale midway through that campaign.
He spent last season out on loan to William Hill Championship side Queen’s Park, joining the Spiders after they had eliminated the Gers from the Scottish Cup at Ibrox.
He made just eight appearances for Scotland’s oldest club, debuting as a late substitute in a 4-0 win over Raith, where he is set to go this year, before starting seven more games in the latter period of the season, losing every one, with his side conceding 23 goals as part of a poor defence.
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Clearly not up to scratch but unwilling to make a move due to his hefty wage this gives King a chance to play regularly and rebuild his career ahead of becoming a free agent next summer. He also turned down the chance to reunite with former Gers teammate Alex Lowry at Wycombe Wanderers earlier this summer as he and the Chairboys could not agree on personal terms after Rangers accepted a deal.
Nothing agreed yet but keep eyes peeled for this one as the midnight deadline approaches.