Leicester have agreed a deal to sign Nigeria international midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, from Belgian club Genk.
The 20-year-old will put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year deal, subject to the Premier League champions being granted a work permit for the player.
BREAKING: #lcfc have reached an agreement with KRC Genk for the permanent transfer of Wilfred Ndidi: https://t.co/es7N8FrWpu#WelcomeNdidi pic.twitter.com/uNMNXP3XjW
— Leicester City (@LCFC) January 3, 2017
No financial details were given, although media reports have mentioned a figure of £15million ($18.38 million) plus a further three million of potential add-ons.
Ndidi has already undergone a medical at Leicester and is it is hoped he will complete his move to the King Power Stadium later this week.
Ndidi has agreed personal terms, undergone a medical and will sign a contract to June 2022 once a work permit has officially been granted!
— Leicester City (@LCFC) January 3, 2017
Leicester, who need a replacement for N’Golo Kante after the French midfielder joined current leaders Chelsea last summer, said Ndidi was expected to complete the formalities of his move later this week.
Ndidi, who helped Genk reach the knockout stages of this season’s Europa League competition, will link up with Nigeria international forward Ahmed Musa at the Foxes.
Leicester, whose title against the odds was the stuff of fairy tales, are languishing in 14th place in the league and still await their first away win of the season.
Ndidi was spotted by Genk playing for Nathaniel Boys in an open trial in his homeland. He was originally a central defender but has been moulded into a defensive midfielder.
He joined Genk’s academy on his 18th birthday and this season helped the club reach the knock-outs stages of the Europa League, qualifying as group winners.
His performances attracted the attention of several clubs but Leicester have won the race for the tall, combative midfielder’s signature.
Ndidi has represented Nigeria at Under-17 and Under-20 level and earned his first senior call-up in October 2015. He has played twice alongside Leicester team mate Ahmed Musa for the Super Eagles. His contract at Leicester will run until June 2022.
