Leicester have pulled off a lovely bit of business here
West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans has signed with Leicester City for a fee of just £3.5 million, the East Midlands club have confirmed today.
Evans has signed a two year contract with Claude Puel’s side just weeks after the Baggies were relegated from the Premier League for the first time since the 2008/09 campaign.
The 30-year-old defender passed a medical at the King Power Stadium yesterday before signing today, becoming the first player to leave the Hawthorns since their relegation.
📝 #lcfc have agreed terms with West Bromwich Albion for the transfer of defender Jonny Evans: https://t.co/KTldVGIO1M
#WelcomeEvans pic.twitter.com/QRsnFx5Hfs— Leicester City (@LCFC) June 8, 2018
The move represents a serious coup for the Foxes, especially considering the fact that West Brom rejected a £20 million bid from them during the summer.
It is believed that the £3.5 million fee was Evans’ relegation release clause.
A bid of £18 million – from Manchester City – was also rejected during the summer, while Arsenal had a bid turned down in January.
Speaking to LCFC TV, the former Manchester United man said:
“When this opportunity came up, it’s one that I couldn’t turn down. It’s an ambitious club, the owners are ambitious and everyone wants to push the club forward.
“I hope that I can give lots to the team and the club. It’s a great place to play football, the fans really get behind the team and the players are fantastic – these are all factors that made me want to sign.”
