'Beating Man Utd In The Amex, Playing At Anfield' - Balogun Refects On Time With Brighton

Published: July 24, 2020

Nigeria international Leon Balogun has taken to social media to bid farewell to two English clubs in Brighton & Hove and Wigan Athletic.

The central defender arrived the Seagulls in July 2018 but found playing opportunities difficult to come by, making a paltry 12 appearances in all competitions across one and a half seasons before he was farmed out on loan to Championship outfit Wigan.

Reflecting on his time with Brighton, Balogun relished the experience of playing against Manchester United and Liverpool, and spoke about his brilliant volley which ended up in the back of the net against Crystal Palace.

"As things have finally come to an end on this strange season I’d like to say thank you @OfficialBHAFC & every soul involved for opening the door for me to Premier League football," Balogun posted on Twitter.

"I’ve felt at 'home' from the first second of my time with the Seagulls. Beating Man Utd in the Amex.

"Having you guys singing my very own chant, playing at Anfield and of course scoring against Palace in front of YOU are memories I’ll carry with me forever.

"Thank you for making my time in your beautiful city a time I will never forget!"

Balogun used the opportunity to say goodbye to everyone associated with Wigan Athletic who have been relegated to the third-tier of English football after a 1-1 draw with Fulham on the final day of the season and a 12-point deduction for going into administration.

"I also want to say thank you and goodbye to Paul Cook and his staff, the team and the whole Tics Family @LaticsOfficial. It’s been a very short & super intense time and I’m happy to have played my part in it.

"The togetherness, the honesty and warmth of the people in and around the club is simply amazing. I would have wished to end my spell with a different outcome, but unfortunately that’s beyond our control now.

"Regardless I will always remember this as a very special time in my career, in a very special place with a very special club full of very special people. THANK YOU WEgan, I salute you. Blue heart White heart".

Igho Kingsley