Portsmouth face fresh transfer battle for departing Rangers defender Leon King as Ibrox exit confirmed
Pompey have been linked with a move for Rangers defender Leon King this summer - but face fresh competition from their Championship rivals.
The race to sign departing Rangers defender Leon King is intensifying as Pompey face fresh competition from their Championship rivals.
It has been suggested the Blues are ‘monitoring’ the centre-back alongside Middlesbrough and West Brom, while Burnley, Wolves and Coventry City are also said to have eyes on the young talent.
Pompey face fresh battle for departing Rangers man
The list of admirers south of the border is reportedly growing, though, with Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph claiming Watford and Millwall are now on the defender’s trail.
The fresh report has claimed the Championship duo have eyes on the soon-to-be free-agent, along with Scottish Premiership outfit Hearts.
King is set to depart Ibrox this summer after Rangers opted against handing the academy graduate fresh terms to extend his 17-year stay with the Glasgow side.
News of his imminent depart comes with his stock firmly on the rise after an outstanding campaign on loan with Ayr United.
The former Scotland youth international featured 34 times in all competitions for the Honest Men and earned a clean sweep in the club’s end-of-season awards.
The young defender is reportedly on the radar of a number of Championship clubs - including Pompey - as the race to land his signature intensifies.
Reported Pompey target Leon King confirms Rangers exit
And King took to social media to confirm his Ibrox exit on Monday, bringing an end to a 17-year affiliation with Rangers.
An emotional message on Instagram read: ‘Rangers… After 17 amazing years the childhood dream of that 5-year-old me comes to a halt.
‘Will be forever grateful for every opportunity I got to pull on that famous jersey and badge. To even play 1 game for this club I’d have lived out a dream I never thought would be possible.
‘To finish this part of my Rangers career with 50 games, a league title, Scottish Cup & League Cup trophy, to reach a European final, as well as some unbelievable experiences and nights at Ibrox and on the continent I’ll be forever grateful.
‘I’ve met some amazing people along the way who have shaped me to be who I am today…
‘Everyone of my academy staff and coaches who are amazing, you helped me from a 5-year-old boy into the man I am today…. Also to the staff no one gets to see, thank you for everything!
‘A special mention to the guys in the building, who drove to make the club what it was and what it should be every single day, David Lavery, Steve Walker & Jimmy Bell to name a few, thank you!
‘Thank you to Steven for giving me that first chance at 16 to play for my boyhood club & to Giovanni for the trust and giving me the experience of playing Champions League football, memories will last a lifetime.
‘My team mates, thank you all for some unbelievable memories over the years, these won’t ever be forgotten!
‘Finally, you the fans. Thank you all for the support over my time at the club, for now I’ll go back to being one of you and be part of the club from a far. Until next time, thank you Rangers.’
King amassed 42 outings in all competitions for Rangers after making his debut in 2020 and has six Champions League appearances under his belt.
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