Yahoo News Leicester City notebook: Transfer route blocked, signing's ACL tear, pre-season friendly
It seems like Daniel Iversen will have to find another route out of the King Power Stadium after Stoke opted to sign his old Leicester City Under-21 team-mate Viktor Johansson instead. Iversen was on loan with the Potters for the second half of this season, but a return to the bet365 Stadium seems unlikely now they’ve signed a new number one.
The numbers behind Iversen’s spell at Stoke seemed decent, the Dane keeping seven clean sheets in 18 Championship games, only conceding 22 goals. But it seems the Potters were not interested in making him their permanent number one, instead quickly bringing in Rotherham’s Johansson, who made a name for himself as one of the best shot-stoppers in the second tier despite being relegated with the Millers.
It was not long ago that Iversen and Johansson were team-mates at City. Johansson was picked up from Aston Villa to play in goal for the Under-21s, allowing Iversen to head out on loan.
READ MORE: Enzo Maresca didn't need end to 26-year record to know Leicester City truth
READ MORE: What Leicester City must do in the Premier League as Burnley relegation causes concern
Despite impressing at City, Johansson was let go after two years, heading to Rotherham on a free transfer. In four years there, his reputation has soared, and he even earned his first Sweden cap last year.
For Iversen, now it’s a case of finding a new home. Under Maresca, he’s dropped from first-choice goalkeeper down to fourth choice and so there’s no future for him at City. His standing in the Championship should be good enough that a team takes a punt on him.
Summer signing tears ACL
One of City’s most promising prospects has confirmed he has torn his ACL. Seventeen-year-old Ryan Donnelly joined City from Dungannon Swifts in Northern Ireland last summer after making his name in his home nation.
The midfielder made his senior debut at 16 and captain his country’s Under-17s, catching City’s eye and earning a move to the King Power Stadium last summer. This term, no player has played more matches for the club’s Under-18s than Donnelly, only missing the final league game of the season.
But he will now be out for a while after announcing he has torn knee ligaments. It rules him out of representing Northern Ireland when they host the Under-19 European Championships this summer.
Donnelly wrote on social media: “This season has been a mix of ups and downs but unfortunately I received the news that I have torn my ACL. I will ensure I come back stronger and give everything to get back on the pitch doing what I love most.”
First pre-season game announced
The first pre-season fixture of the summer has been announced for City, although it's likely to be an Under-21s team involved. Coalville Town, playing in the seventh tier of English football and the highest-ranked county side outside of City, will host a City XI on Tuesday, July 23.
Being a City XI, it's likely to be players from the development squad involved. It's been 11 years since City sent a team to Coalville for a pre-season friendly, with the likes of Callum Elder, Marko Futacs, and Joe Dodoo involved in a 3-1 defeat in 2013.
City’s unwanted record broken by Sheffield United
City owe thanks to Pedro Porro after he scored the second of Tottenham’s three goals at Sheffield United on the final day of the season. That finish was the 103rd goal let in by the Blades this campaign, eclipsing City’s record for the leakiest defence in a 38-match top-flight season.
Back in 1909, City conceded 102 goals, but Sheffield United’s troubles this season mean they’re the new record-holders with 104. The worst-ever defence in a top-flight campaign remains Ipswich Town in 1964 as they conceded 121 goals, but across 42 fixtures.
Academy graduate leads Oxford back to the Championship
Congratulations are in order for City academy graduate Elliott Moore. While he never got his chance in a competitive game for his boyhood club, despite impressing in pre-season outings, he has carved out a good career for himself, topped by this weekend’s glory at Wembley.
Having scored in the play-off semi-finals to get Oxford to the showpiece game, Moore captained the Us to a 2-0 victory over Bolton to take them to the Championship. Next season will be their first in the second tier for 25 years.
