- Leon King set to leave Rangers as contract expires after spending full career at Ibrox.
- Ayr United offer permanent deal following standout, award-winning loan spell.
- Defender open to staying as he weighs next step in his career.
Rangers look set to allow Leon King to depart the club on a free transfer after six years with the Ibrox first team.
The 22-year-old has spent the full season on loan at Championship side Ayr United and won four awards at the Honest Men’s Player-of-the-Year night.
The on-loan central defender is out of contract at the Gers this summer and looks set to secure a permanent move to the Somerset Park club.
Leon King set for Ayr United transfer
In a recent post on their website Ayr confirmed that King had been offered a permanent contract, alongside extensions to several other first team players.
King scored twice in 33 appearances for his loan club this year.
He told the Ayrshire Post: “This is what I needed – to go out and play consistently this season.
“The constant challenge of having to earn a spot in the team each week has been massive for me.
“I’m without a contract now so we’ll see what my future holds.
“But I’m not shutting the door on staying here.
“I’ve loved it.
“The club has given me an opportunity to go and showcase what I’ve got, and I’ll be forever grateful for that.
“So, if something is on the table that is good for my future then I’ll look at it seriously.”
Celtic influence on post-Rangers career
He was recruited by former Celtic captain Scott Brown, who was the club’s manager until his sacking in late March.
Earlier in the campaign, King had spoken positively about Brown’s impact on his development.
He said: “I’m loving it here because I’m playing every single minute and the gaffer is showing real faith in me.
“I would like to stay here and continue playing if I can and then kick on from there and see where it takes me.”
Brown, in turn, was equally complimentary about his former Old Firm rival.
“He’s a humble lad who’s relishing the chance of stepping down a level and playing games,” he explained.
“He’s got that hunger to play football and that’s what you want.”
Despite Brown’s departure and the end of John Rankin’s interim spell in charge, Ayr’s new manager Gary Naysmith looks set to keep the defender at the club.
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King won one Scottish premiership medal for Rangers under Steven Gerrard, the manager who handed him his debut during the 55-winning season.
He also collected one Scottish and one League Cup medal.
The defender last featured during pre-season under Russell Martin against Club Brugge but his final competitive appearance for the club came in a UEFA Europa League win over Union SG in January 2025.
He would go off injured after only 13 minutes and spent the remainder of the season on loan at Queen’s Park.
