Chelsea have officially completed the signing of a long sought after target in N’Golo Kante. The 25-year-old makes the switch from Premier League champions Leicester City, having arrived there only a year earlier from Ligue 1 club SM Caen.
N’Golo Kante has finally completed his much speculated move to Chelsea from Leicester City, with the Blues sealing the transfer believed to be in the region of £30 million. The 25-year-old becomes new boss Antonio Conte’s 2nd signing this summer, having already acquired the services of Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi early on.
Speaking about his switch to London from East Midlands, Kante said, “I am so happy to have signed for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. It’s a dream come true for me. The opportunity to work with Antonio Conte, a brilliant coach, and some of the best players in the world was simply too good to turn down.”
The French international arrived on to the English football scene only last season, when he was unveiled as Claudio Ranieri’s first signing as Leicester City boss. He went on to create waves in the league along with an unfancied team that eventually went on to lift the Premier League against all odds. Kante was a key-man behind the Foxes’ memorable triumph and could prove to be a valuable addition to a Chelsea line-up that missed the proficiency of the Frenchman last season.
Kante’s signing a Leicester City record
The supposed £30 million fee Chelsea paid the Foxes to acquire Kante’s services is a record for Leicester City, who have never before commanded such high fees for their players. Having managed to hold on to Jamie Vardy this summer, the Foxes failed to do the same with Kante. Even an improved contract extending his stay at the King Power Stadium wasn’t enough to take his mind away from an impending move to London.
An official statement on Leicester City’s club website read, “Despite the offer of a substantially improved, long-term contract, made before this summer’s European Championships, it became apparent after the tournament that N’Golo’s wish was to join Chelsea.”
“The Club subsequently accepted a Leicester City-record fee on Friday before N’Golo finalised personal terms and completed a medical.”
Leicester were, however, prepared for the eventual departure of Kante by signing a replacement in Nampalys Mendy from Ligue 1 side Nice. Therefore, the Foxes will hope that the departure of Kante does not come back to haunt them once they get their title defence underway in a month’s time.
The departure of Kante could initiate a domino effect that could witness other Premier League winning stars like Riyad Mahrez desert the East Midland club. Mahrez has reportedly rejected a contract extension at the club and could himself be forcing a move out of Leicester this summer.
