Leon King Explained

Leon King
Full Name:Leon Thomson King
Birth Date:14 January 2004
Birth Place:Barrhead, Scotland
Height:1.83 m
Position:Defender
Clubnumber:38
Youthclubs1:Rangers
Years1:2020–
Clubs1:Rangers
Caps1:23
Goals1:0
Nationalyears1:2018
Nationalteam1:Scotland U16
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2019
Nationalteam2:Scotland U17
Nationalcaps2:4
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2022-
Nationalteam3:Scotland U21
Nationalcaps3:8
Nationalgoals3:0
Club-Update:2 January 2024
Nationalteam-Update:19 June 2023

Leon Thomson King (born 14 January 2004) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Rangers.

Career

Club

King joined Rangers in his early years,[1] soon appearing to be one of the club's brightest prospects.[2] [3] He made his Rangers Under-20s debut aged only 14 under the management of Graeme Murty in November 2018.[4] [5] At the end of the 2018–19 season, he was also part of the squad that won the Scottish Youth Cup against Celtic.[6]

King made his Rangers debut on 29 November 2020 in a League Cup match against Falkirk.[7] He made his Scottish Premiership debut for on 12 May 2021, replacing Joe Aribo in the 86th minute of a 3–0 away win against Livingston.[8] [9] [10]

On 5 January 2022, King signed a contract extension until the summer of 2024 and was subsequently promoted to the first-team squad on a full time basis.[11]

International

King was selected for the Scotland under-21 squad in May 2022.[12]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rangers2020–21Scottish Premiership1000100020
2021–224020000060
2022–23150002060230
2023–243010000040
Total230303060350
Rangers B2021–222020
Rangers B2022–231010
Career total230303090380

Honours

Rangers

2020–21[13]

2021–22[14]

2023–24[15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 10 March 2020. Introducing... Leon King. 3 May 2021. Rangers F.C.. Youtube.
  2. Web site: Campbell. Jordan. Nov 9, 2019. Chelsea and Liverpool among those looking at Rangers' 15-year-old defender King. 2021-05-23. The Athletic.
  3. Web site: Wright. Angus. 9 November 2019. Rangers face fight to keep hold of 15-year-old defender as English and European giants circle. 2021-05-23. The Scotsman. en.
  4. Web site: 2018-11-26. Rangers Academy continues to go from strength to strength. 2021-05-23. Rangers News. en-GB.
  5. Web site: 27 November 2018. Rangers U20s 6-1 Partick Thistle U20s. 3 May 2021. Rangers F.C.. Youtube.
  6. Web site: 25 April 2019. Rangers crowned Scottish Youth Cup winners. 23 May 2021. SFA.
  7. Web site: Falkirk 0–4 Rangers . BBC Sport. Elgott. Jordan . 29 November 2020.
  8. Web site: McDougall. Mark. 2021-05-12. Livingston 0 Rangers 3 as Steven Gerrard's men edge closer to 100 point mark. 2021-05-12. Glasgow Live. en.
  9. News: Campbell. Andy. 2021-05-12. Rangers win to stay unbeaten in league. en-GB. BBC Sport. 2021-05-12.
  10. Web site: Black. James. 2021-05-13. Rangers veteran delighted after landmark appearance for Ibrox prodigy in Livi win. 2021-05-23. HITC. en-GB.
  11. News: LEON KING SIGNS NEW RANGERS CONTRACT . Rangers.co.uk . Rangers Football Club. 5 January 2022.
  12. Web site: Rangers' Alex Lowry one of five new call-ups by Scotland Under-21s . BBC Sport . 19 May 2022 . 19 May 2022.
  13. News: Rangers top-flight champions for first time since 2011 after Celtic drop points . BBC Sport. 7 March 2021. 7 March 2021.
  14. News: 21 May 2022 . Rangers 2-0 Hearts . BBC Sport . 21 May 2022.
  15. News: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen. BBC . BBC Sport . 17 December 2023. Nick . McPheat.
  16. News: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers . BBC Sport. 18 May 2022. 18 May 2022.