Leicester City

Image source, Getty Images

Italian football journalist Lorenzo Bettoni has been discussing new defender Caleb Okoli on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast:

"He has the most important skill set which is physicality and pace.

"The Premier League is very challenging physically, more than Serie A, and the first thing you need to have is strong physicality to be up to the task, to win challenges, to win duels, so the starting point is good.

"It depends on the project and how the new coach will decide to use Okoli, but he can be quite versatile. He can work pretty well with the backline but I think he needs to improve a little bit in this aspect.

"He is very quick but inside the box he still has a few things to improve, but if he works with this pressure and gets accustomed to this kind of pressure then it can be an exciting move for Leicester City."

Former Foxes player Matt Heath added: "Thinking about a Leicester City defender and what they're going to be up against, they are going to be backs against the wall and not have a lot of possession. We are going to need players like Caleb Okoli in our team.

"We are going to need to win those physical duels. We are going to need to be able to turn and get there first, make those big headers and big tackles. That is really positive [that Okoli is able to do that].

"Lorenzo spoke about the technicality and improvements he might need on the ball, but are we going to have that much possession of the ball? Especially early on in the season when we are just trying to grasp our feet in the Premier League, probably not, so maybe it just might suit his style of play."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City owner Khun Aiyawatt 'Top' Srivaddhanaprabha has received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Leicester for his "successful stewardship" of the football club.

Khun Top became CEO of duty-free retailer King Power and chairman of Leicester City in 2018 following the tragic passing of his father Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

Under his chairmanship, Leicester City won the FA Cup for the first time in their history in 2020-21. The Foxes have also qualified for European football a number of times, reaching their first European semi-final in the Europa Conference League in 2021-22.

The owner has also seen the Foxes through some more difficult times, including their relegation to the Championship in 2022-23, but his stewardship saw Leicester City reclaim their spot in the English top-flight at the first time of asking.

After accepting his honorary doctorate at De Montfort Hall on Tuesday, Khun Top said: "I am truly grateful to receive this honour from the University of Leicester - an institution of our city that shares our commitment to excellence, service to our communities and positive social change.

"My congratulations to all of this year's graduates on their outstanding achievements which are the result of years of dedication to their respective fields of expertise.

"I hope their time in the city of Leicester has taught them that everything is possible."

Jack Rafferty
Leicester City presenter at BBC Radio Leicester

Image source, Getty Images

This is the one Leicester City fans have been waiting for.

After Abdul Fatawu's loan spell at King Power Stadium, the supporters already know they are getting a real talent who plays with pace and flair, getting them off their seats time and time again last season.

They say you should never fall in love with a loan player, but that was easier said than done with Fatawu.

He not only provided six goals and 13 assists in the Championship title win, but did so with a huge smile on his face, backflipping to celebrate at every opportunity he could - whether he'd scored the goal or not.

His moves on the pitch, combined with his dancing off it, made him an instant fans' favourite.

At just 20, he has the potential to be a huge star for the Foxes in the Premier League.

To have him signed permanently on a five-year contract is huge news for the club as the team returns to the top flight.

Image source, Getty Images

Abdul Fatawu says it feels "amazing" to be staying at Leicester City after a successful season-long loan spell with the Foxes last season.

The 20-year-old winger has made the permanent move from Sporting Lisbon, swapping the Primeira Liga for the Premier League.

He impressed in the Championship last season - making 40 appearances, scoring six goals and registering 13 assists - as Leicester ensured their return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Speaking to the club website, external, the Ghana international revealed why he has "so much motivation" to represent the Foxes in the English top flight: "It is just something new to me and I am going to go hard for that. With the team and everything, I think we are going to be good.

"Last season was amazing and one of the best moments of my career. I just want to keep going. I feel so proud [of my performances last season]. I take it as the beginning because I am just getting started.

"It feels so good to play under the fans. They always give more energy and they motivate you to do more, so they are the best.

What do you make of the news, Leicester fans? Are you relieved that the permanent deal has been confirmed? And how you think Fatawu will fit into Steve Cooper's plans?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

Image source, Getty Images

The football never stops.

Euro 2024 has barely finished but Premier League clubs have already started turning their attention to pre-season friendlies.

The games are spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Sligo and Crawley.

So who will your team face? And when and where are the matches?

Keep across all the fixtures and results here

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester will play Italian side Palermo in a pre-season friendly on Friday, 26 July at Chesterfield’s SMH Group Stadium [19:00 BST].

Palermo - part of the City Football Group - finished sixth in Serie B last season.

The match completes the full pre-season schedule for Steve Cooper’s side.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Foxes striker Steve Howard has been talking to BBC Radio Leicester's Owynn Palmer-Atkin about joining the football club back in January 2008.

Leicester City have spent all but one season within the top two tiers of English football since joining the Football League in 1894, with the 2008-09 season being the club's only spell in the third tier.

Howard revealed what sparked his move away from Derby County to Leicester City on the When You're Smiling podcast: "It came about because I missed a penalty for Derby in the Premier League!

"Then I got a phone call from Paul Jewell, who was Derby manager at the time, and the first thing I said to him was: 'Gaffer, I'm sorry. I will work on that in training'.

"He said 'no Steve, I need you to report to Leicester in the morning'. I asked him if we were training down there and he said 'no, I have sold you'.

"Derby were in the Premier League and I didn't want to leave, but I didn't want to stay somewhere where the manager didn't want us.

"I rang my agent, asked him to explain what was happening, he explained it, and I just thought 'Leicester. A massive club like Leicester? Yeah, I'll have that!

"So then I turned up the next day, met Ian Holloway [former Leicester City manager] and signed for Leicester."

Listen to the rest of Steve Howard's Foxes journey on BBC Sounds

When You're Smiling podcast continues the Made in Leicester series as Matt Piper catches up with ex-Foxes forward Jon Stevenson.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Wilfred Ndidi's decision to stay at Leicester removes what could have been a large headache for boss Steve Cooper.

There was a degree of expectation, certainly during the course of last season, the midfielder would leave after seven-and-a-half regardless of promotion.

If he can rediscover the form that he showed in his early days at the King Power Stadium where he was their midfield enforcer, it is a coup.

It stops Cooper from searching for a potentially expensive replacement just five weeks before the start of the season, especially having lost Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea already this month.

Cooper's squad is slowly coming together after the arrivals of Michael Goulding from Chelsea, Caleb Okoli from Atalanta and Bobby Decordova-Reid's arrival on a free from Fulham.

Interest in Juve's Matias Soule could also pick up with Juventus ready to sell the 21-year-old Argentine, although a price tag that could exceed €30m might prove prohibitive for the Foxes.

Cooper has given everyone a blank slate and those who are in form will be the ones who will play. Ndidi should be one of his key lieutenants next season.

Image source, Getty Images

Wilfred Ndidi says he has "unfinished business" at Leicester City after signing a new three-year contract at King Power Stadium.

Speaking to the club website, external, the defensive midfielder said: "There have been great memories [at the club] and I'm looking forward to what we are going to create going forward.

"I feel great, I feel excited, I feel at home. That is the most important thing.

"We know this is where we belong. It's just that unfinished business that we have to continue."

His new contract could see him complete 10 years of service at Leicester City, and the Nigerian added: "It was quite an easy decision because my family is settled here, my daughter is going to school.

"It is kind of relaxed because I know that my family is sorted on the other side. It means that I can actually just focus on football."

Ndidi also revealed he has already spoken to new manager Steve Cooper.

"He shared some good ideas with me. He is a great guy. He is funny. I'm actually looking forward to working with him. It is very exciting," said the 27-year-old.

"We know the Premier League is where we belong. We will try our best to also keep it that way, because we want to be here and we want to stay here."

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has signed a new three-year deal at Leicester City.

The Nigeria international had been linked with a move away from King Power Stadium, despite the Foxes' promotion back to the Premier League.

But he has agreed terms until 2027 to end speculation over his future, after his previous contract expired last month.

Ndidi has made 273 appearances for Leicester since joining from Belgian side Genk in January 2017, scoring 17 goals and registering 17 assists along the way.

The 27-year-old helped the club win the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2021, while he was also key in their Championship title win last season as the Foxes returned to the top flight at the first time of asking.

"I feel great, I feel excited, I feel at home," Ndidi told the club website. "That is the most important thing. I feel really happy to continue with the club.

"My family is settled here and when everyone back home says 'Ndidi', they say 'Leicester' also"

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Wilfred Ndidi is expected to decide his future at Leicester City in the next few days.

The 27-year-old midfielder has been in extensive talks with the Foxes over a new deal but has also seen a host of clubs fighting for his signature.

Ndidi has been impressed with Leicester's efforts to keep him but also held exploratory talks with Marseille and Everton – while other big clubs are waiting in the wings to exploit any late change of mind.

It has reached crunch time in the negotiations after his previous deal at the King Power stadium expired on 30 June.

We asked for your views on Leicester City's summer transfer business so far, after Caleb Okoli became Steve Cooper's third signing of the window, and whether the Foxes need to strengthen in any other areas before their return to the Premier League.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Alex: I'm fairly happy with the business so far. It is really good that the transfers are being done early and, so far, they have been relatively inexpensive (without knowing the price of Okoli). However, both Okoli and Michael Golding are unproven at this level, so I'm concerned about how they will perform in the Premier League. Only time will tell...

Neil: It is good that we have got our new signings in early so they can blend in with the team.

Wes: These new additions seem to be, from the surface, very good players who are versatile with a lot to offer and capable of future growth.

Ketan: Signing Okoli is not bad business at all, but what is happening with signing Abdul Fatawu?

Kiran: Leicester should now be thinking about selling Patson Daka and Harry Souttar to try to balance the books. They should also try to buy an experienced goalkeeper as a number two to Mads Hermansen.

Ben: My wishlist is another winger, midfielder and striker. I don't mind us not getting a midfielder or a winger, but we really need a striker! If we can get another striker, I will maybe start believing we can survive.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella spoke to BBC Radio Leicester's When You're smiling podcast about midfielder Michael Golding, who has joined the Foxes from Chelsea:

"They have signed a technically proficient, classy young player who Chelsea regarded as a top prospect. He is a versatile midfielder who is very neat on the ball.

"Leicester had a bit of leverage over Chelsea because of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. In that deal, Leicester had the chance to do this PSR swap. They have gone for this younger talent, who is one of the best in his age group.

"It is early days in his career, but I don't think he is one Chelsea would have ever liked to have lost. He is a thoroughbred young talent and one of the best that Chelsea had in their under-21s group.

"He has got a great chance of making it in the Premier League. He has been with every age group at England's youth levels and captained the teams.

"He has still got work to do, but Leicester picked him up for a reasonable fee and it is their job to find space for him to play. You would expect there would be more space [at Leicester] because Chelsea are cramming their squad with young players."

Listen to the full episode here

Image source, Getty Images

New signing Caleb Okoli says "Leicester is a beautiful club" and he is "very excited" to play in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old defender, who joins the Foxes from Atalanta, has signed a five-year-deal.

"Now is the right moment [for me] to make a step forward and a very big one," he told the club website. "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."

Okoli is Steve Cooper's third signing of the transfer window so far, following the arrival of Michael Golding and Bobby De Cordova-Reid.

What do you make of the Foxes business so far? Are there any other areas Cooper should be looking to strengthen?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

Image source, Getty Images

On the latest episode of the When You're Smiling Podcast, The Athletic's Fulham reporter Peter Rutzler spoke about what Leicester fans can expect from Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who has joined the Foxes after five years at Craven Cottage:

"When De Cordova-Reid signed [for Fulham], he was signed as a forward. You would say his best position is probably just behind the striker as a 10. He's played a lot out wide, but he's also played anywhere. He's played at right-back, right wing-back, left wing-back, centre midfield. That versatility is what has made him so valued.

"Scott Parker loved him during the time at Fulham because of that. It was the first time we saw him in a defensive role and he's trusted to do that.

"Marco Silva has spoken about his tactical intelligence and his ability to take instructions on really well and that makes him such an important member of the squad.

"I don't think he's the flamboyant type, he's a winger who will do things effectively. He can be quick, he's got an excellent first touch and he's got a really good shot as well. In the last couple of years, he's found a way to be really effective in the final third without being too over the top."

Listen to the full episode here

There are two new players at Leicester City.

Transfer deals don't half get fans excited (normally), so join Owynn Palmer-Atkin and Matt Piper as they consider the deals and who might come in next on the latest episode of BBC radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester have announced their third pre-season game of the summer with a match against German side FC Augsburg.

The game will be played at Illerstadion in Kempten, Germany on Saturday, 3 August at 14:30 BST.

Augsburg finished 11th in the Bundesliga last season, and have been a mainstay in the league since they achieved their first promotion to the top flight in 2011.