Leicester sign Boubakary Soumare from Lille for around £23m as industrious French midfielder joins Foxes on five-year deal
- Boubakary Soumare played 32 league games to guide Lille to the Ligue 1 title
- Leicester fought off competition from Everton and Wolves for midfielder
- Foxes are conducting impressive business and he joins Patson Daka at club
- Soumare said: ‘When they spoke about their plans, I knew I wanted to come’
Leicester have continued their impressive early business this summer with the signing of Boubakary Soumare.
The 22-year-old is thought to have signed for a fee of around £23million and signed a five-year deal with the club.
He joins from French champions Lille and played 32 Ligue 1 games last season in an impressive campaign.
Boubakary Soumare played a key part in Lille’s title-winning side and has joined Leicester
Soumare told the club’s official website: ‘I’m really proud to come to the Premier League and a big club like Leicester.
‘It’s going to really help me to develop my game and progress as a player, so I feel it is the right step for me.
‘Leicester is a very ambitious club. When they spoke to me about their plans and what they wanted from me, I knew straight away I wanted to come.
‘I really am so proud and honoured to be here and I will give my all for the team and club to make everyone happy.’
Soumare is a powerful central midfielder and said he knew Leicester was the right club for him
Soumare started his career at Paris FC before joining the PSG academy in 2011.
He then spent six seasons with the club and joined Lille in 2017. He made 112 appearances for the team and was an integral member of the championship winning side.
Soumare has also represented France at age group level and played with fellow Leicester player Wesley Fofana.