RANGERS Football Club are delighted to announce defender Leon King has signed a professional contract with the club.
The highly-rated 16-year-old has put pen to paper on his first pro deal – committing his future to Rangers until May 2022.
At just 15, Leon was a key part of the squad that lifted last year’s Alkass International Cup and won the Under-18s league title.
This season, the defender has been a regular at the back for the under-18s, as well as featuring for the Development Squad.
The youngster has made a number of appearances for Graeme Murty’s side – despite still only being in his mid-teens – including victories over Brentford and Huddersfield Reserves.
King was also named as part of the first-team matchday squad for the Scottish Cup fourth round tie against Stranraer.
Sporting Director Ross Wilson said: “I am delighted we have an agreement with Leon King.”
“Leon has been a priority for us and we are excited about his potential. He has been demonstrating that potential both for Rangers and Scotland and we are excited about his future.
“As a Rangers fan he has a huge desire to develop his career at Rangers and is impressing the staff on a daily basis with his application and attitude.
“Leon receives fantastic support from his family as well as all of our staff at Auchenhowie who are pushing Leon to maximise his potential on a daily basis.
Head of Academy Craig Mulholland added: “We are delighted to secure one of the UK’s most sought after young talents.
“Our club is becoming recognised as a place where learning takes place in, what is now, an elite high performance environment.
“With experts in a variety of disciplines to guide these young talents, I am sure it is this exciting opportunity to develop in such a vibrant learning culture that has played a huge part in Leon’s decision to commit his future to Rangers.
“We have increased our number of youth internationals from 14 to over 40 in the space of five years and this means that our best talent, like Leon, are training with, and against, driven and talented players on a daily basis, pushing each other’s development.
“Given his potential and desire to improve we believe Leon will thrive in this environment.”