Leicester sign Ilari Kangasniemi on five-year deal | OneFootball

Leicester City have completed the signing of 19-year-old centre-back Ilari Kangasniemi from FC Inter Turku on a five-year contract, their 10th signing of the window. The move bolsters Russell Martin's defence after the position was prioritised.

According to LeicesterMercury.co.uk, the Finn arrives amid a backline overhaul, with Jannik Vestergaard, Jamaal Lascelles and Ricardo Pereira departing. Wout Faes is expected to leave before the deadline, while Harry Souttar and Caleb Okoli have been linked with late moves. Ben Nelson is out after an ACL injury in pre-season.

Speaking after the Carabao Cup loss to Ipswich Town, Martin said City beat interest from Champions League and Europa League clubs and described Kangasniemi as a young talent who fits the project. He also highlighted the squad's youth and need for experience, adding that the defender chose Leicester over options closer to home.

Standing six ft six in, the same height as Souttar, Kangasniemi helped Inter Turku to within reach of the Conference League proper with wins over FK Sarajevo, Basaksehir and FC Vaduz. The former Inter Milan youth player returned to Finland last summer and made 32 appearances in the Veikkausliiga.

Martin has hinted at both short and long-term additions at centre-back, with Kangasniemi viewed as the long-term piece and an experienced defender likely to be targeted before the window shuts. City have six days to finish their business, and the head coach said there could be three or four arrivals before the start of September. At least two further additions are anticipated.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”