Leicester City have made their first move of the transfer window, signing Patson Daka from RB Salzburg in a long-term deal. Daka has previously been linked with both Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as Salzburg’s sister club, RB Leipzig.
The Zambian forward joins the Foxes in a £23 million deal and has signed a contract until 2026. Daka has been linked with Liverpool and Chelsea in the past but chose to join Brendan Rodgers’ side in the end. Daka’s move to England is subject to clearance, albeit that is expected to go smoothly, allowing it to become official on July 1, 2021.
Upon signing for Leicester, Daka expressed his delight. The 22-year-old claimed to have followed the Foxes ever since their miraculous title win in 2016 and called it the perfect place for him to grow.
I’m so, so excited to join this great, historic club.
Daka said.
I have followed Leicester from the time they won the league. I feel it is the perfect place for me because it’s a team that fights for titles. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I feel ready to face this new challenge.
I will give my best for the club each and every day, and I look forward to seeing the Leicester City fans inside the stadium soon.
Daka joined Salzburg in 2017, after initially appearing for another of their sister clubs – FC Liefering – on loan. Over the next three and a half years, the Zambian made 125 appearances and scored 68 goals for the club. He took over the duties of the main striker in January 2020, after the departures of Takumi Minamino and Erling Haaland, who joined Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, respectively.
Daka scored 34 goals in 42 matches last term, including two in UEFA competitions. He finished as the top scorer in the Austrian Bundesliga in 2020/21 and was subsequently named the league’s Player of the Year. Daka arrives at the King Power Stadium having won four straight league titles in the last four years.
