Share
Leicester City have confirmed the signing of defender Wout Faes from Ligue 1 side Reims.
The 24-year-old joins the Foxes on a five-year deal and as a direct replacement for Wesley Fofana, who left in a £70m deal to join Chelsea on Wednesday.
Faes becomes Leicester’s first major signing of the summer, with the club’s only previous arrival of the window being backup goalkeeper Alex Smithies on a free transfer.
The deal to bring the Belgium international to the King Power Stadium is thought to be worth around £15m.
“It’s an amazing feeling [to be here]; it’s not sunk in yet. This is the dream step in my career and I’m very happy to be here,” Faes told the club’s official website.
“I’m progressing year after year, and I hope to continue doing the same here. All the facilities and knowledge is here to help me to get even better. I will have to work hard, but I will give 100% to help the team.”
Faes has made three appearances for Reims so far this season and was a key part of their side last term as they finished 12th in Ligue 1, being named the club’s player of the season.
The Belgian will not be eligible for Leicester’s Premier League clash with Manchester United this evening as Brendan Rodgers’s side go in search of their first win of the campaign, but he could make his debut for the club against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
Leicester are also understood to be interested in bringing Atalanta BC winger Jeremie Boga to the club on deadline day.