Leicester City

Leicester City

Premier League • England

Surprise last-minute Leicester departure sees Foxes favourite drop to Championship after failing to ‘deal with’ squad role

Marc Albrighton pic via WBA.co.uk

Leicester City have offloaded wide man Marc Albrighton to Championship club West Brom on loan, it has been confirmed.

Albrighton is one of three players still at Leicester from their 2015-16 Premier League title-winning side. Jamie Vardy and Daniel Amartey are the other stars left from that history-making team.

Albrighton has found himself to be a squad player under Brendan Rodgers in recent seasons. While he has made 11 appearances in all competitions this term, only two of these have lasted a full 90 minutes.

He is struggling to get into the starting XI on a regular basis and things could get worse following the arrival of a new right winger. Brazil U23 attacker Tete has joined on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk.

His transfer to the King Power is only on a temporary basis, although Rodgers’ side could enter negotiations for a permanent deal in the summer if he does well.

Albrighton could see he would not be playing often in the next six months and has therefore been looking to secure a move elsewhere.

According to Football Insider on deadline day, Leicester entered ‘advanced talks’ with West Brom to try and organise a late deal before the transfer deadline.

And it has since been confirmed that the two clubs managed to get the deal done, with the 33-year-old dropping down to the second tier for the rest of the campaign.

Albrighton explains Leicester exit

Albrighton told Albion’s website: “I’ve never had an experience of fighting for promotion before and that’s something that excites me.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Leicester and it’s a fantastic club, but I’ve gone through a spell where I’ve not been playing regular football.

“It’s not something that I’ve really been able to deal with well and I felt like I needed a fresh, new challenge. I want to come in here and show people that I can still play at a good level. It’s exciting for me.

“I have kids that want to come and watch me play on a Saturday afternoon and they haven’t been able to do that recently. I’d love to get back out there and play as much as I can for them. I also have some friends who are big Albion fans who’ll be thrilled when this news gets released.”

Baggies boss Carlos Corberan added: “I have the highest respect for a player who has proven himself at the top level for as long as Marc.

“To have won the Premier League and the FA Cup, and to have played so many games, is testament to a top professional who is determined to win football matches.

“Marc will bring vast experience to the squad, but he is here to make us more competitive, and I am confident he brings the quality we will need as we look to continually improve.”

READ MORELate Leicester transfer falls through as player forced to stay put