Leicester sign Italy-born Nigerian Caleb Okoli from Atalanta

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

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

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

Meanwhile, the new signing stated his excitement after the transfer.

He said, “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.”

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

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

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

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

Leicester City’s transfer activity 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 make Abdul Fatawu’s loan move from Sporting Lisbon permanent for a fee of £14 million ($16.4 million), further bolstering their squad for the upcoming season.

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