Balogun Leon

Leon Aderemi Balogun is a German-Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a defender for the Nigerian national football team. Born to a Nigerian father and German mother, Balogun was called up by Nigeria for a March 2014 friendly against Mexico. He made his Bundesliga debut on 19 April 2009 for Hannover 96 in a game against Hamburger SV. After his contract with 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf had been 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. On 22 May 2018, Balogun signed a two-year deal with Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.

Balogun Leon

Match Worn Boots

Darmstadt SV 98

Did you Know?

Balogun made his debut with Nigeria n March 2014. He entered at the half, but was injured after 20 minutes in a collision with signage on the touchline. He fractured his foot and was to miss 2–3 months after surgery. However, he later confirmed to news media that his injury did not require surgery. 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. 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. Balogun was included in Nigeria’s squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. 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.