Leicester City news: Kasper Schmeichel agrees new five-year contract with Premier League champions

The goalkeeper played every minute of the Foxes’ march to the first title in their 132-year history

Samuel Stevens
Saturday 06 August 2016 11:44 EDT
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Kasper Schmeichel has committed his future to Leicester City, signing a new five-year contract with the Premier League champions.

The Danish goalkeeper played every minute of the Foxes’ march to the first title in their 132-year history last season and is set to return to the starting line-up for the Community Shield clash with Manchester United tomorrow.

Schmeichel, who joined Leicester from Leeds United in 2011, was subject to interest from top-flight rivals Everton this summer but is set to remain at the King Power Stadium until his mid-30s after agreeing lucrative new terms.

The 29-year-old told LCFCTV: “I'm just buzzing and I can't wait for the season to get started. It was a very easy decision. It was a case of coming back after winning the Premier League and making sure that the hunger was the same within myself and the squad.

“I've come back absolutely convinced that this is the place for me to be. We've taken some massive steps and ever since I arrived it's been fantastic. I've loved being here from minute one.”

Schmeichel joins captain Wes Morgan and 24-goal Jamie Vardy in agreeing a new contract with Leicester this summer and the East Midlands club are hopeful of persuading Danny Drinkwater and Danny Simpson to follow suit in the coming weeks.

Manager Claudio Ranieri is in continued negotiations with the Leicester hierarchy, too, and is set to sign an extended contract which will eradicate a clause which allows other clubs to lure him away for a minimal compensation package.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Wembley this weekend, the Foxes’ first since the League Cup victory against Tranmere Rovers 16 years ago, the Italian addressed speculation linking winger Riyad Mahrez with a £40m to Arsenal.

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“The chairman told me at the beginning, when we spoke, that we want to keep everybody,” Ranieri said. “[N'Golo] Kante had a clause and wanted to go, but the others stay with us.

“It is not a distraction for me. I am used to speaking about these things. But it is important that my players believe in the new moment. It is normal others want Riyad and other players, but we must focus on the job.”

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