adminLeicester City have officially confirmed a major squad clear-out following the club’s disappointing relegation to League One. After a difficult campaign that ended in heartbreak for the Foxes, the club are now preparing for a huge rebuild ahead of next season.
Several senior players are set to leave the King Power Stadium this summer as Leicester begin reshaping the squad after back-to-back relegation disappointments. The club’s retained list has now been released, confirming multiple departures and loan exits.
Patson Daka, Jordan Ayew and Jamaal Lascelles will follow club captain Ricardo Pereira out of Leicester City this summer following their relegation to League One.
The four senior players leave the King Power Stadium with their contracts set to expire this summer, while Asmir Begovic remains in talks over a new deal.
Ricardo, whose departure was announced earlier this month, leaves after making 220 appearances during his eight seasons at the club following his arrival from Porto in 2018. The 32-year-old won the FA Cup, Community Shield and Championship during his time at Leicester.
Speaking earlier this month, Ricardo said:
“It has been eight years of highs and lows, and while it hurts to finish this way, I know I will look back with pride on the amazing moments we have shared.
“I always tried to give my best, through the good times and the difficult moments. I will always follow Leicester and I hope I will see us back where we belong soon.”
Wanya Marcal will also leave after his contract expired, while Jordan James, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Aribo, Dujuan Richards and Divine Mukasa have all returned to their parent clubs following their loan spells.
Next season is expected to be crucial for Leicester City after their relegation to League One, 10 years after their historic Premier League title triumph.
Five academy players have had options in their contracts activated, with midfielders Henry Cartwright, Tommy Neale and Ryan Donnelly staying at the club alongside defenders Thomas Wilson-Brown and Reiss Khela.
The club have also offered new deals to Stevie Bausor, Harry French, Mirsad Ali, Bobby Amartey, Silko Thomas, Logan Briggs and Josh King.
However Chris Popov is among the highest-profile academy departures after an impressive loan spell at Morecambe, where he scored seven goals in 18 appearances despite the club suffering relegation.
Jake Donohue, Jahmari Lindsay, Alfie Fisken, Toby Onanaye and Olaoluwa Omobolaji will also leave the club.
Leicester’s relegation to League One was confirmed after a 2-2 draw against Hull City at the end of April following a poor season. The Foxes had started the campaign among the favourites for promotion but instead suffered a second successive relegation.
The club will now prepare for away trips to teams such as Wigan, Doncaster, Burton and Mansfield next season, marking only the second time in Leicester City’s 142-year history that they will play in League One.
A decision on the club’s next permanent manager is still yet to be made after Gary Rowett joined on a short-term basis until the end of the season.
Following relegation, Rowett said:
“The bigger picture is you don’t get relegated over three or four games, you get relegated over a season.
“We have to learn. I think the club have to accept this is the horrible part of the journey of a football club. This club won the Premier League not too many moons ago.
“That was an incredible high at the time for the fans, for everyone associated with the club. I think everyone saw that as an amazing achievement. I think we can be equally as disappointed with how poor this moment is.”
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