Italian-born Nigerian defender Caleb Okoli joins Leicester City

Premier League club Leicester City have completed the signing of Italian-born Nigerian centre-back Caleb Okoli from Serie A side Atalanta.

The 22-year-old defender joins the recently promoted Foxes on a five-year deal for a reported fee of around €15m (£12.6m).

Announcing this, sports journalist Fabrizio Romano via X wrote on Tuesday: “Official, confirmed. Caleb Okoli joins Leicester City for €15m from Atalanta.”

Meanwhile, Okoli declared his excitement after the transfer.

He said: “I’m very happy with the choice I made, so I’m really excited to start in the Premier League. Now I’m here at Leicester, I feel ready to start with my new team.”

Okoli spent the previous season on loan at Frosinone where he made 37 appearances.

Despite his impressive performances, he could not prevent the club’s relegation to Serie B. The young defender progressed through the youth ranks of Atalanta and had loan spells at SPAL and Cremonese, gaining valuable experience in Italian football.

The transfer marks Leicester’s third signing of the summer window as they prepare for a return to the Premier League.

Caleb Okoli joins teenage midfielder Michael Golding, who has arrived from Chelsea, and Bobby De-Cordova Reid, a free agent from Fulham.

Leicester City’s transfer business continues despite the club being referred to an independent commission by the Premier League in March for an alleged breach of profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).

The recent sale of homegrown player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea is expected to help alleviate any concerns about PSR compliance.

The Foxes are also expected to complete the move of Abdul Fatawu from Sporting Lisbon for a fee of £14 million ($16.4 million), further strengthening their squad for next season.