Leicester City announce their third transfer of the summer in a £13m deal

Leicester City’s third signing of the summer is complete with defender Caleb Okoli arriving in a £13million deal from Atalanta. The Italian centre-back has penned a five-year deal at the King Power Stadium and follows Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Michael Golding in Steve Cooper’s squad.

Okoli’s transfer is the biggest deal of the summer so far for City and it looks like he could start under Cooper. The new manager is expected to opt for a three-back system, with Okoli fitting in on the left, a role he played occasionally during his season-long loan at Frosinone last term.

Despite Frosinone’s relegation, Okoli only strengthened his reputation. He looks to be a strong and aggressive full-back who will add muscle and speed to City’s backline, with the club set to face far more threatening attacks than they have in the Championship.

READ MORE: Leicester City management: Celtic transfer option, three expensive bids, way out before season

READ MORE: Join our City WhatsApp group and get transfer news sent to your phone

Coming through the ranks at Atalanta, Okoli spent time on loan at SPAL and Cremonese in Serie B before breaking into the first team. He began the 22–23 season in Atalanta’s starting XI as they challenged at the top of Serie A, but found himself on the bench for much of the second half of the campaign.

In search of game time, the former Italy Under-21 international moved on loan to newly-promoted Frosinone last season, starting 32 of their 38 league games. One of the youngest teams in Europe put up a brave fight before going down on the final day.

Okoli usually played as the left of the two central defenders in a back four, and when the team switched to a back three, he remained on that side. That could be his role alongside Cooper, alongside Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes. However, City have plenty of defenders to choose from, with Conor Coady, Ben Nelson and Harry Souttar also available.

How should City’s defense line up in the new season? Click HERE to have your say.