- Leon King departs Rangers, ending final link to 2020/21 title-winning squad.
- James Tavernier also leaving, closing Steven Gerrard-era core at Ibrox.
- Rangers left without proven SPFL winners ahead of squad rebuild.
Leon King’s emotional farewell to Rangers has brought another symbolic end to one of the club’s most important modern eras.
The defender becoming the latest and final member from Steven Gerrard’s title-winning dressing room to depart Ibrox.
His confirmation follows James Tavernier’s own announcement that he will leave Rangers this summer after 11 years at the club, meaning the last remaining members of the 2020/21 Premiership-winning squad have now exited together.
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers invincibles
For Rangers, that reality carries significance.
The squad that stopped Celtic’s pursuit of 10-in-a-row and delivered an unbeaten league title has now completely disappeared from the dressing room.
More notably, Rangers will enter next season without a single proven SPFL title winner remaining within the first-team group.
Leon King bids farewell to Ibrox
King confirmed his departure in a lengthy statement reflecting on his 17 years at the club, having progressed through the academy from childhood into the senior side.
“Rangers… after 17 amazing years the childhood dream of that 5-year-old me comes to a halt,” he wrote.
“To even play one game for this club I’d have lived out a dream I never thought would be possible.”
The 22-year-old leaves having made 42 appearances for Rangers, collecting a Premiership title, Scottish Cup and League Cup during a period that also included a Europa League final and Champions League involvement.
“To finish this part of my Rangers career with, a league title, Scottish Cup and League Cup trophy, and to reach a European final… I’ll be forever grateful,” he added.
King’s breakthrough under Gerrard was viewed internally as one of the most encouraging academy developments of that period, with the defender handed senior opportunities at just 16 years old.
“Thank you to Steven for giving me that first chance at 16 to play for my boyhood club,” King wrote.
He also thanked Giovanni van Bronckhorst for trusting him during Rangers’ return to Champions League football.
Well wishes from Gers heroes
The defender’s departure triggered a wave of messages from former teammates and figures connected to the club, many highlighting both his professionalism and standing within the dressing room.
Findlay Curtis replied: “All the best mate.”
Former Rangers defender Leon Balogun added: “All the best for what’s next Young King.”
Robbie Fraser wrote: “A pleasure to share the pitch and changing room with you for so many years.
“So many memories. Top player and even better person.”
Connor Barron also posted: “Best of luck mate.”
Former Rangers and Scotland defender Maurice Ross commented: “Well done Leon son!!
“You lived the dream mate and handled yourself impeccably! Onwards and upwards.”
Read Rangers analysis
Rangers are not simply losing another academy graduate or squad player.
Alongside Tavernier’s exit, the club are now formally severing the final links to the last dressing room that understood what it meant to win a league title at Ibrox.
That absence is likely to shape much of the club’s recruitment thinking this summer.
Andrew Cavenagh has already stressed the need for more leadership, chemistry and football intelligence within the squad after a season where Rangers again failed to sustain consistency across a title race.
Danny Rohl has similarly spoken about the need to build “leaders, not followers” inside the dressing room.
The challenge now becomes cultural as much as tactical.
Because when King and Tavernier walk away this summer, Rangers are not only losing continuity.
They are losing the final living connection to the standards, resilience and mentality that once delivered the club back to the top of Scottish football.
