Leicester City have announced agreed on a deal to sign FC Porto right-back Ricardo Pereira this summer. According to recent reports, the Foxes are set to complete their first signing of the summer transfer window after agreeing on a deal to bring the Portuguese defender to the King Power Stadium ahead of the new campaign.
It is being reported that Pereira has put pen to paper on a five-year contract with the East Midlands side before taking part in the 2018 FIFA World Cup which is set to kickoff in Russia next month. Some sources are now claiming that the Portuguese international was in Leicester on Saturday to finalise personal terms with his new employers and have his medical. The Foxes have recently announced that the deal has been completed and will be formally announced when the club receives his international transfer clearance on June 9.
In a recent interview, Leicester boss Claude Puel expressed his delight on the move and was quoted to have said, “I’m delighted to have a player of Ricardo’s quality on board for next season, I remember him well from my time at Nice,”
Pereira has been plying his trade at OGC Nice over the past two seasons while on loan from FC Porto. The 24-year-old has featured in 43 matches for the French club this term, scoring two goals while grabbing 7 assists in all competitions.
The Portuguese defender is excited by the prospect of playing in the English top-flight and stated, “I feel very happy to be here and I can’t wait to do my best to help the team.
“The atmosphere, the fans and the football of the Premier League makes it the best in the world. I am here to support the team and to help the club to achieve its goals.”
The Foxes managed to secure a 9th placed finish in this past season but are in need of some injection of quality in this summer transfer window so that they are well prepared to ensure a top 7 finish next season.
The acquisition of Pereira could prove to be a major coup for the East Midlands outfit and will undoubtedly bolster Puel’s defensive options going into the new campaign. Leicester City have players such as Danny Simpson, Christian Fuchs, Daniel Amartey and Josh Knight vying for a right-back berth in Puel’s starting XI. The Portuguese ace will definitely improve their squad significantly and add more competition for places within their team.
At 24, Pereira still has his peak years ahead of him which the Foxes could look to utilise in the coming seasons. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of the Portuguese international and whether his move to the King Power Stadium turns out to be a success.
