Friday, 15 July 2011

Sven's Summer Signings So Far

I'm sure I'm not the only Leicester City fan who has been excited with Mr Eriksson's dealings so far. Seven signings at the time of writing and with more in the pipeline, it wouldn't surprise me if double figures were to be reached by 31 August when the transfer window slam shuts.

Lee Peltier, 24, was Sven's first acquistion. A right back bought for a reported £750,000 from Huddersfield Town, this season will be the first taste of Championship football for the former Liverpool trainee. City's assistant manager Derek Fazackerley knows Peltier from his time at the Terriers and plays in a similar way to last season's loanee Kyle Naughton who was a huge success at the Walkers (now King Power) stadium.

Next to arrive was goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from Leeds United for £1 million. Son of Manchester United legend Peter, Kasper knows Sven very well after playing under him at both Man City and Notts County. Schmeichel has also been called up to the Danish national team, although he has yet to be capped.

Neil Danns signed on the same day as Schmeichel on a free transfer from Crystal Palace. The midfielder, 28, began his career at Blackburn Rovers but joined Colchester after failing to make the grade at Ewood Park. In 2006, Danns joined Birmingham City for £500,000 before joining Palace two seasons later. Outside of football, Danns makes his own music, releasing a song called 'Survive' in March last year. He didn't survive in his first game for the club, being harshly red carded in a pre-season friendly v Real Mallorca.

Sven's fourth signing was Irish international defender Sean St Ledger from Preston North End for £1.2 million. St Ledger played 185 times for Preston, scoring ten times, as well as having a loan spell at Middlesbrough. He has become one of the Championship's consistent defenders in recent seasons, and his absence from Preston's defence at the end of last season coincided with the clubs relegation.

England international David Nugent signed a couple of days later on a free transfer after his release from Portsmouth. Nugent made his Football League debut aged 16 for Bury. After spending three seasons there he joined Preston, where he made 93 appearances, scoring 35 goals. That earnt the striker a £6 million move to Portsmouth. Nugent appeared sparsely for Pompey, scoring just three times before being loaned to Burnley. Nugent returned to Portsmouth, now in the Championship, scoring 14 goals last season, the club's top goal scorer, including two goals against City.

The biggest signing at the time of writing was still to come. Reading centre back Matt Mills was bought for a club record £5.5 million. Mills made his name at Doncaster and helped the side gain promotion to the Championship. He joined permanently from Manchester City the following season. However, he only spent one more season at Rovers before joining Reading for £2 million. Mills made 61 appearances for the Royals and scored 4 goals, including one against City last season.

The final signing was left back Paul Konchesky, bought from Liverpool for £1.5 million. Konchesky was capped twice by Sven whilst at Chalrton. He played 149 times for the Addicks. He joined West Ham for £1.5 million, where he scored a memorable goal in the 2006 FA Cup Final. Konchesky then joined Fulham and reached the 2010 Europa League Final under Roy Hodgson. That summer, Hodgson signed Konchesky for Liverpool, but had an unsuccessful spell at Anfield.

No doubt there will be more additions and more rumours that will get the mouth watering. Craig Mackail Smith was expected to join, as was Tsepo Masilela. Nicky Maynard remains linked with the club, although his club Bristol City are refusing to sell. Whatever happens, one thing is for sure that this transfer window has been the most exciting in the clubs history.

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