Super Eagles Defender Balogun Starts Pre-Season Training With Brighton Tuesday

Leon Balogun will report for pre-season at Brighton & Hove on Tuesday, July 17, manager of the Seagulls, Chris Hughton has revealed.

The Nigeria international defender was handed an extended break after representing the three-time African champions at the football festival in Russia.

Balogun went the distance in the three games played by the Super Eagles at the 2018 World Cup and the highlight of his performance was winning a penalty against Argentina, which was converted by Victor Moses.

Australia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and Colombia's Jose Izquierdo were part of Brighton & Hove's World Cup contingent.

Providing an update on the three players, including Balogun, Hughton told the club's official website : ''The three players who went to the tournament are back this week – Leon comes back on Tuesday, Maty is back on Wednesday.

''Jose has an extended period of time because his country reached the knockout stages, so he will be back with the group next Monday.

''They’ll all come back in good shape but once the season starts you want them to be up to speed, so for us it’s about making sure that they will be.''

Balogun penned a two-year deal with Brighton in the off-season after choosing not to extend his contract with Mainz.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

brightonandhovealbion.com