- Abdul Fatawu makes Leicester City move permanent
- Ghana international made 43 appearances in all competitions for the Foxes
- He scored seven goals, including a hat-trick against Southampton
Full league and international clearance for the transfer has now been received after the Football Club trigged an option to buy the player from the Portuguese champions with effect from 1 July.
The 20-year-old Ghana international impressed on loan at King Power Stadium last season, helping City to the Sky Bet Championship title and promotion to the Premier League, and has now signed a five-year contract with the Football Club.
Abdul made 43 appearances for the Foxes in all competitions last season, scoring seven goals, including his first career hat-trick in a 5-0 win against Southampton on Filbert Way. He quickly established himself as a favourite amongst the Blue Army.
The Football Club collaborated with local band and Foxes fans, The Mercians as part of the announcement for Abdul’s signing. The Coalville-based band performed their own special version of the Blue Army’s famous Fatawu chant, surprising him with a special rendition at King Power Stadium.
Speaking to Foxes Hub, Fatawu said: “I feel amazing. It’s so good to be back and I’m just back to focus again for next season. I feel so much motivation to be in the Premier League. It’s something new to me. I’m going to go hard for that, with the team. I can’t wait to see [my team-mates]. I’ve missed them so much. They are like a family now. I didn’t think I’d miss some of them, but when I went away, I was really missing them! I can’t wait to see them.”
Born in the Ghanaian city of Tamale, Fatawu started his senior career with Steadfast FC, where his impressive displays earned him a loan move to Ghanaian Premier Division side Dreams FC in October 2021.
The talented winger, who is considered one of his country’s most exciting prospects, continued his fine form before switching to Sporting Lisbon in April 2022.
He made his senior debut for the Portuguese side against Rio Ave in August 2022 and featured in their UEFA Champions League campaign that term.
Fatawu enjoyed international success in March 2021 when he helped Ghana’s Under-20 team to win the Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations, where he was named player of the tournament.
At senior level, he has represented his country on 19 occasions, featuring in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and more recently in the Africa Cup of Nations.
He will reunite with his Leicester City team-mates as preparations continue for the Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday 19 August.