Leicester City signs Maddison from Norwich for reported £25M
Leicester City confirmed Wednesday it has made Norwich City creative fulcrum James Maddison its third signing of the summer.
Though the Foxes confirmed that Maddison signed a five-year contract, the Guardian's Jacob Steinberg reported earlier this week the move would be worth £25 million.
As a young boy my dream was always to play in the premier league! Now I have the opportunity to make my dream come true and I can’t wait to get started at this fantastic football club! Delighted to be here and looking forward to meeting all of you💙 @LCFC pic.twitter.com/iKpqZSw4u9
— James Maddison (@Madders10) June 20, 2018
Speaking to Leicester's website, Maddison said: "I had a good chat with the manager about football and how he wants me to play, how he likes to play, and I was sold. We talked about the type of player I am, how I'm going to fit into his style of play, and everything sounded really promising. I haven't looked back since that phone call.
"Leicester just seems like the right fit for me. I've got a good feel about the club and I can't ignore that, in my head and my heart. I felt like this was the right place for me to be, so I'm delighted and can't wait to get started."
Maddison joined Norwich from Coventry City in February 2016 and enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough season in the Championship last term. The 21-year-old scored 15 goals and added eight assists in 46 games in all competitions and was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.
🗣 #lcfc’s newest signing, @Madders10, has a message for the Blue Army… #WelcomeMaddison pic.twitter.com/eYPcGZXshi
— Leicester City (@LCFC) June 20, 2018
The reported £25-million outlay is an undoubtedly hefty sum for a player with just one full season in the second tier under his belt. The majority of his previous experience has come in English League One, in addition to a months-long spell on loan at Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen.
Maddison becomes Claude Puel's third signing of the summer after Porto full-back Ricardo Pereira and West Bromwich Albion centre-back Jonny Evans.