Yahoo News Leicester City's new signing sends rueful message as £14m transfer completes
As he officially completes his transfer to Leicester City, Abdul Fatawu laments the lack of opportunities on offer at former side Sporting CP.
The Ghanaian international has become a permanent Foxes player as of today, July 1, following his loan spell during the 2023/24 campaign. He made 43 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven and assisting 13, before the club's promotion triggered the £14.4m obligatory purchase clause inserted into his deal.
His initial switch to England came one year after joining Portuguese champions Sporting CP, where he was forced to wait for his shot at senior football. This was because he signed as an underage player in April 2022, so with the 2021/22 campaign ongoing he could not be registered mid-season.
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Though when he was eventually available for selection by Ruben Amorim, the 20-year-old was only selected 12 times, and only one of those as part of the starting XI.
"Sometimes I think it wasn't that bad in that experience. It happened that way because sometimes the opportunity wasn't there," Fatawu told 3news via Record as he reflected on his time in Lisbon and his latest transfer. "But when I had those opportunities, I had more confidence and that's what made it easier."
That's why when it came to the winger's year on loan at the King Power Stadium, where selection issues were a thing of the past, he has a much fonder recollection of working with Enzo Maresca.
"I think it had everything to do with the confidence he gave me on the pitch, the way he guided me throughout the championship and everything else," he said of the Italian.
Of course he will not have chance to work with his former coach again in the coming season, so will have to strike up a bond with the incoming Steve Cooper as pre-season preparations get underway in the East Midlands.
