Leicester City’s on-loan forward Leonardo Ulloa wants to stay at Brighton and Hove Albion beyond this season. Ulloa was one of the three forwards loaned out by Leicester last month and the 31-year old made a return to his former club Brighton and Hove. He has fond memories of the place where he scored 26 goals in 58 games before departing for Leicester City in 2014.
His Leicester spell proved rather challenging and the striker never succeeded in landing a first-team spot. He has now returned to his former club on loan and recently scored his first goal for the club in their 3-1 win over Coventry City in the 5th round of the FA Cup.
Ulloa has now come out to the media saying that he wishes to stay here for a long time as opposed to returning to Leicester City.
“I want to stay here for a long time but we will see what happens,” Ulloa told the Argus. “Leicester was a very nice time for me, it was wonderful in my career but now I have to look forward and here I feel different. I want to stay here. We will see what happens, where we are (at the end of the season) and then we’ll make the decision.”
“I feel different here,” said Ulloa, when asked if he feels at home at Brighton. “I feel happy, when I wear this t-shirt it’s different. I love the people here and we have a different relationship.”
The 31-year old Argentine moved to Leicester City in 2014 for a club record deal of £10 million on a four-year deal that expires in 2019. He was seen as a prime signing to help Leicester survive in the English Premier League. Three and a half years down the line, he had become the sixth choice back up in the team and was no longer a priority player in the squad.
He fell behind Jamie Vardy, Shinji Okazaki, Kelechi Iheanacho, Islam Slimani and Ahmed Musa in the pecking order. The Argentine made over 80 appearances for the club scoring almost 20 goals. He contributed with six goals and 29 appearances in Leicester’s title-winning season including a winner at Norwich City that sent the Foxes fans into a frenzy.
It now appears he wants a new life at Brighton. Leicester do not really need the 31-year-old and should grant him the move if he desires so and if Brighton pays accordingly.
