Leicester add to Belgian collection as full-back seals big-money move

Timothy Castagne

Timothy Castagne has signed a five-year contract at Leicester after completing his switch from Atalanta.

The 24-year-old will link up with Brendan Rodgers’ squad on his return from Belgium’s Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Iceland.

A statement on the club’s official website said: “Leicester City Football Club have agreed terms with Atalanta for the transfer of full-back Timothy Castagne. The move is subject to Premier League and international clearance.

“The 24-year-old Belgian international has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Foxes. He will link up with his new team-mates after the conclusion of the current international break.”

Castagne, who has signed for an undisclosed fee believed to be £18m, has been capped seven times by Belgium. The fee could rise to £21.5m with incentives. Castagne can operate in either full-back role and could be seen as a replacement for Ben Chilwell at left-back.

He spent three seasons in Serie A after joining Atalanta from Belgian side Genk. He helped the Italian club qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

 

Castage to join some familar faces

Castagne.Atalanta.TEAMtalk

The defender made six appearances on the European stage last season as Atalanta reached the quarter-finals. They eventually lost to beaten finalists PSG. But there was further success on the domestic front after he helped them finish third in the league for the second successive campaign.

A former youth international, he was handed his senior debut against Scotland in September 2018.

Castage joins fellow Belgians Youri Tielemans and Dennis Praet at the King Power.

He is also a former teammate of Wilfried Ndidi, the pair playing together at Gent.