MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 09:21:35| >> :120:25006:25006:

Leicester City transfer news: Atalanta BC defender becomes third Foxes addition

'This is a beautiful club' - Leicester confirm signing of Atalanta defender
© Reuters
Leicester City confirm the signing of Atalanta BC defender Caleb Okoli, adding a third name to their ranks during the summer transfer window.

Leicester City have further strengthened their squad with the signing of Atalanta BC defender Caleb Okoli.

Prior to June 30, the focus of the Foxes hierarchy was ensuring that they did not commit any breaches of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.

With three notable players departing on free transfers ahead of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's £30m move to Chelsea, the East Midlands outfit seemingly achieved that goal.

However, they have since been proactive in the market, with the acquisition of Okoli following the arrivals of Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Michael Golding.

While the official fee is undisclosed, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Leicester have paid a €15m (£12.7m).

"It is the right opportunity"

Okoli moves to the King Power Stadium on a five-year contract, indicating that he feels that now is the right time to test himself in England's top flight.

The 22-year-old the Foxes Hub, part of the club's official website: "I think now is the right moment [for me] to make a step forward and a very big one.

"I'm very happy with the choice I made, so I'm very excited to start in the Premier League. Now I'm here in Leicester I'm feeling ready to start with my new team.

"It was the right opportunity and it's very important for me. The Premier League is the best league in the world. Leicester is a beautiful club, an important club and the two combined together, so I took this opportunity to come and express myself in the Premier League."

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper before the match on November 5, 2023© Reuters

Will Okoli command a starting role?

On the face of it, the signing of Okoli could prove to be one of the most significant in recent seasons for Leicester given that he has already accumulated over 50 appearances in Serie A.

Okoli also has 14 caps for Italy Under-21s, although he suffered disappointment last season having played a part in Frosinone's relegation campaign.

A total of 17 outings were made for Atalanta, all of which came in domestic action, and he now has the challenge of trying to become a favourite of Steve Cooper.

Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard - who have represented Belgium and Denmark at Euro 2024 - appear to be in front of him in the pecking order at this stage.

ID:547793:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4525:
Written by
Darren Plant

Click here for more stories about Caleb Okoli

Click here for more stories about Leicester City

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
 Aston Villa's Matty Cash celebrates after the match on December 9, 2023
Read Next:
Transfer news and rumours: Okoli to Leicester, Cash to AC Milan
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!