Leicester City have confirmed the signing of Jannik Vestergaard for a fee believed to be around the region of £15 million. The defender has joined the Foxes until 2024.

The former Southampton defender has joined the Foxes, as he looks to replace the injured Wesley Fofana

The Denmark international has been a target for Leicester in numerous transfer windows, but with them now being short on central defenders, Vestergaard has been brought in at the perfect time. 

Journey to Leicester

The defender has played for four teams in his career, with the centre half playing for TSG Hoffenheim, Borussia Monchengladbach, Werder Bremen and most recently, Southampton. From 2011 to 2015, a four-year spell at Hoffenheim saw him make 71 appearances. 

The defender continued his career in the German Bundesliga as he moved onto Werder Bremen for just one year before moving to Borussia Monchengladbach. The Dane made a total of 185 in his spell as Germany, as well as finding the back of the net 18 times. 

In 2018, Vestergaard made his move from Germany to the Premier League as he joined the Saints. After three years with Southampton, his time has come to an end and now the 29-year-old looks for a new challenge as he makes the move to the East-Midlands.

As well as appearances for club, Vestergaard is an established international for Denmark, making 29 appearances. The former Saints player particular impressed in the European Championships, helping his side reach the semi-finals. 

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Vestergaard’s attributes

With Vestergaard standing at 6’6’’ (199 centimetres) the centre-back is obviously dominant in both boxes and is an imposing figure at the back as well as keeping a levelled-head with a range of ability.

Vestergaard seems to read the play well and is the controlling center-back out of a pair, which is expected to be with the Dane more experienced than Caglar Soyuncu. Similar to Jonny Evans, he lets the fellow center-back venture forward, while they take role deeper. 

The 29-year-old also has an amazing passing range, which will benefit players like Harvey Barnes, Patson Daka, and Jamie Vardy who like to get in behind. It almost seems effortless for the defender to be able to switch play. 

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What will he bring?

Although he may be seen as someone to be a quick replacement, or what some people would call a panic buy, Vestergaard could be the solution long term when Evans retires. Vestergaard has a level of Premier League experience, whilst remaining to have years left in the tank at just 29. 

With the Foxes participating in four competitions this season, Vestergaard will add depth to the side with the amount of games going to be played. When Evans and Fofana are fully fit, Brendan Rodgers will have the healthy competition of defenders to choose from. 

The defender also has good relationship already with Ryan Bertrand and Kasper Schmeichel. Speaking to LCFC TV, he said "I know a couple of the players, and Kasper (Schmeichel) and Ryan (Bertrand) I know very well and get along with off the pitch, so that's going to be very easy."

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