Nigeria-eligible centreback Caleb Okoli signs five year deal with Premier League new boys Leicester City

ENGLISH Premier League side Leicester City have completed the signing of Nigeria-eligible centreback Caleb Okoli from Serie A side Atalanta after putting pen to a five year deal with the player for a fee said to be around €15m (£12.6m).

Italian-born Okoli, 22, who spent the previous season before last on loan at Frosinone where he made 37 appearances for the club, is eligible to play for both his country of birth and Nigeria through his parents. Over the years, he progressed through Atalanta’s youth ranks and has had loan spells at Spal and Cremonese, accumulating valuable experience in Italian football.

Despite his impressive performances last season, however, Okoli could not prevent Atalanta from being relegation to Serie B. As a result, he has moved to England where he becomes newly-promoted Leicester's third signing of the summer window as they prepare for their return to the Premier League.

Okoli said: “I’m very happy with the choice I made, so I’m very excited to start in the Premier League. Now I’m here in Leicester I’m feeling ready to start with my new team.”

He joins teenage midfielder Michael Golding, who arrived from Chelsea and Bobby De-Cordova Reid, a free agent who joined Leicester from Fulham. Leicester City’s transfer activity continues despite the club being referred to an independent commission by the Premier League in March for an alleged breach of profitability and sustainability rules.