Joe Aribo joins Leicester City on loan

Leicester City have completed the loan signing of Nigerian midfielder Joe Aribo as they bolster their squad for the remainder of the season.

Sky Sports reported on Monday that the Foxes had reached an agreement to bring in the Nigeria international temporarily, a move the club later confirmed the same day.

Aribo adds proven Premier League and Championship pedigree to Leicester’s ranks, having previously turned out for Southampton and Scottish giants Rangers.

The 29-year-old arrives at the King Power Stadium after making 111 appearances for Southampton over four seasons across the Premier League and Sky Bet Championship.

Speaking to Foxes Hub following the move, Aribo said: “For me, it’s amazing to have got it done and I just can’t wait to get going. I’ve always known the squad is good. I’m so certain [about] where we can get to and what we can do together. It’s just good to be a part of it.”

Born in Camberwell, England, Aribo began his football journey with non-league side Staines Town in 2014, where he featured regularly in the Isthmian League before earning a move to Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2015.

He went on to establish himself as a key player for the Addicks after breaking into the first team during the 2016/17 season. His performances attracted interest from Rangers, whom he joined in 2019.

During his time in Glasgow, Aribo made 149 appearances in all competitions for Rangers, scoring 26 goals. His three seasons at the club included a long-awaited Scottish Premiership title in 2020/21, lifting the Scottish Cup in 2021/22, and over 40 outings in European competitions.

Notably, he scored in the UEFA Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022, although Rangers were eventually defeated on penalties in Seville.

On the international stage, Aribo has earned 34 caps for Nigeria. He made his Super Eagles debut in a friendly against Ukraine in August 2019 and was part of the squad that finished runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

Aribo is expected to link up with his new Leicester City team-mates ahead of their next Sky Bet Championship clash away to Birmingham City on Saturday, 7 February, with kick-off scheduled for 3:01pm.

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