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

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

Before June 30, the focus of the Foxes hierarchy was to ensure they did not commit any breaches of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations.

With three notable players leaving on free transfers up front Kiernan Dewsbury-Hallhis £30m move to Chelsea, the East Midlands outfit have seemingly achieved that goal.

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

While the official fee is not disclosed, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claimed Leicester paid €15m (£12.68m).

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“It’s the right opportunity”

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

The 22-year-old Foxes Hubpart of the club’s official website: “I think now is the right time (for me) to take 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 at Leicester, I feel 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, so I took this opportunity to come and express in the Premier League”.

© Reuters

Will Okoli command a starting role?

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

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

A total of 17 outings have been made for Atalanta, all of which have come in domestic action, and now he has the challenge of trying to become his favourite. Steve Cooper.

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

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