Relegated Premier League club releases 11 players as one immediately joins rival
Leicester City are set for a summer of change after being relegated from the Premier League to the Championship and Jamie Vardy is among the players departing the King Power Stadium
Leicester City have confirmed that 10 more players will depart the club this summer in addition to Jamie Vardy. The Foxes forward made his 500th and final appearance for the Midlands side against Ipswich Town with his deal set to expire.
Senior professionals Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen join Vardy on the released list with their contracts coming to an end next month too, following the club's relegation to the Championship. Ward joined Leicester after forging his reputation with Huddersfield Town but never truly established himself as the side's No.1 after joining from Liverpool in 2018, while fellow goalkeeper Iversen joined the Foxes as a teenager and has enjoyed six loan spells away from the club since 2018.
Iverson has already secured his next move and will join Preston North End in the coming weeks, having previously spent time on loan at Leicester's Championship rivals.
A Leicester statement read: "All three leave with the heartfelt thanks of everybody at Leicester City for their contributions during their time at King Power Stadium, as well as our best wishes for the next chapters in their careers."
The Leicester trio are joined by eight juniors, who have also been let go by the club. Oliver Ewing, Harvey Godsmark-Ford, Ben Grist, Deniche Hill, Liam McAlinney, Arjan Raikhy, Joe Wormleighton and Brad Young depart the King Power Stadium.
Vardy was given a fond farewell in Leicester's final home game and conducted a lap of honour in addition to a guard of honour when he was substituted in the match. The 38-year-old is not yet ready to hang up his boots but reflected on an emotional moment.
"Gutted that this day has come but I knew it was going to come eventually," he said announcing his exit. "I've had 13 unbelievable years at this club with lots of success, some down but the majority all highs.
"It's finally time to call it a day which I am devastated about. But I think the timing is right, just wanna sincerely thank you all for taking me in as one of your own.
"Leicester will always have a massive place in my heart and I'll make sure that I'll be following for years to come in what I hope will be even more success for the club. But as for now, this is my goodbye but you will see me again, I promise."
Iversen meanwhile, has already expressed his joy at returning to Preston. He said: 'I love it here. It's the most I've been happy. Preston is where I've played my best football.
'Preston feels like home for me. Everyone around the club are good people and the fans too. I just love it here so it's a no brainer for me to come back.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal's striker dilemma answered as second major Gunners deal close
Mikel Arteta has led Arsenal to a third successive runner-up finish in the Premier League but will need to strengthen with the expectation that the Gunners' rivals also improve As Arsenal continue to wait on Martin Zubimendi, they've been busy in other departments. Midfield and attack appear to be the main priorities this summer, while there has already been movement when it comes to offloading players who have found themselves on the fringes of late. Kieran Tierney and Jorginho are leaving the club this summer, while Neto and Raheem Sterling will return to their parent clubs after loan spells. There will be a fair bit of summer investment, though, with co-chair Josh Kroenke pointing to the arrival of new sporting director Andrea Berta as a precursor to a busy few months. "We plan to invest to get behind winning and doing better next season," Kroenke wrote in the programme ahead of Arsenal's final home league game. "We're delighted we have our sporting director, Andrea, who will play an important role in this. "He is part of a unified and strong team, supported by the board, who are crystal clear on exactly what we need to do and the way in which we want to do it. The right way. The Arsenal way." It's not just about new signings, though, with Arsenal also attempting to tie key men down to new contracts. Here are Mirror Football 's latest lines from around the Emirates Stadium. Gabriel contract talks progressing Arsenal are in advanced talks over a new deal for Gabriel after the centre-back's impressive season. According to BBC Sport, an agreement for the Brazil international is drawing ever closer. Gabriel and fellow centre-back William Saliba are both under contract until 2027, and there is a sense the Gunners want to avoid the risk of either entering the final year and potentially leaving for nothing. Real Madrid are known to be fans of Saliba, while Gabriel's form last season served Arsenal well in the league and in Europe. The 27-year-old has played more than 200 times for Arsenal since joining from Lille back in 2020. He also made his senior Brazil debut while with the Gunners, and has played in 13 of his country's 14 World Cup qualifying games. Striker dilemma addressed Arsenal's search for a new striker has been whittled down to two men - Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko. Mirror Football has weighed up the pros and cons of the pair, while Gyokeres' international manager has given his verdict on the Sweden star's next move. "No, of course not," Jon Dahl Tomasson told Swedish outlet Aftonbladet when asked if he had a preference over Gyokeres' next move. "Because then it would be blown up like this [stretches arms]. "There are definitely players changing clubs! We know that each year," he continued. "If you look at each player, you need to make the right choice. "You actually don't know if it's the right choice before you're at the club. You have family as well you have to have in mind. It's not easy, but at the end of the day, that's [football]." Ndicka deal off the table Evan Ndicka is set to stay at Roma despite interest from Arsenal. The French centre-back has impressed in Serie A despite a tumultuous season for his club, who cycled through three managers en route to a fifth-place finish. The Ivorian international, who joined the Giallorossi in 2023, didn't miss a minute in the league under Daniele De Rossi, Ivan Juric or Claudio Ranieri. He was also a regular as Roma reached the round of 16 in the Europa League eventually losing to Athletic Bilbao. According to Corriere dello Sport, though, he's going nowhere this summer. The publication names him as one of eight "immovable" stars set to stay in the Italian capital, with Gian Piero Gasperini expected to take over as manager next term.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Diaz in line for Liverpool reunion as Al-Nassr make final Ronaldo decision
Luis Diaz has a decision to make over his future with Liverpool and there could potentially be interest from Saudi Arabia in a move that will see him link up with a former Reds star Al-Nassr have not dropped their interest in Liverpool star Luis Diaz, with the Colombian earmarked for a future move. The winger has long been linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia and they continue to be monitoring developments over his future. Diaz, 28, has just two years remaining on his contract at Anfield meaning Liverpool are running out of time to earn a considerable fee for his services should they choose to sell. While they are keen to keep him, no conversations over a renewed deal have taken place as of yet - something Al-Nassr could yet take advantage of . According to The Telegraph, Saudi chiefs remain interested in him and would like to make a move regardless of if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the club. The Portuguese superstar is out of contract this summer, albeit there is hope that he will extend his stay. Taking to Instagram recently, the former Manchester United star wrote: 'This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.' Meanwhile, Diaz would also become teammates with former Liverpool star Sadio Mane once again, the pair having shared the dressing room for six months at Anfield. Diaz has already given an insight into his mindset ahead of the summer transfer window. He said: "I'm really happy and I have been like this since the first day I arrived. I've always been very calm and I have really just been enjoying the football played by this great team, being a part of this. 'We will be talking, the talk about it (his future) will happen. For me, I'd stay for as long as possible. It also depends on the club, it all depends on the details. They're all details that are sorted out separately. But I am very calm, very happy and I am enjoying the Premier League." Away from Al-Nassr, Spanish giants Barcelona remain interested in Diaz, with the wideman's Dad admitting a move to the Camp Nou would be a 'dream'. He said: 'It is true that Luis is a loyal Barcelona supporter and that it would be his dream if he arrived at Barcelona. But, until this moment, thank Porto and Liverpool for the welcome with Luis and the way they received him. 'He is a player who has an easy time earning things because of his way of being, his humility, his work. He gives himself, he is a very disciplined player – thank God. 'If there are chances for Lucho to arrive at Barcelona, he would have no problem. Because it is an elite team and is among the first in the world.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland suffer loss and relegation in Melissa Andreatta's first match
However, her girls lost their sixth consecutive match narrowly and will now drop down a division as a result. Qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil in 2027 will be her ultimate objective in her new role. It was evident from a display which was high on endeavour that it is far from an unrealistic goal. There is, however, clearly much work ahead of her if she is to end this disappointing run of form and make her team a force to be reckoned with on the international stage once again. Andreatta was positivity personified when she spoke to the media at her pre-match press conference yesterday afternoon. Several days of training with her new charges at Oriam just outside Edinburgh had clearly filled her with great optimism for the future. 'I only see opportunity on Friday night,' she said. 'Yes, there's going to be tough times and there's a lot of progress to be made, but we believe we have what it takes to get the win and we're going to fight. 'We want to make sure those points don't leave Hampden Park. What I've learnt about this group is that previous results haven't affected their belief.' It was, however, difficult to see why she was so upbeat once this encounter got underway. The visitors quickly assumed control and applied sustained pressure to their hosts goal. They were unfortunate not to convert one of the scoring opportunities they carved out. Only profligate Austrian finishing and outstanding goalkeeping from Lee Gibson kept the scoreline goalless. The Glasgow City player tipped an Annabel Schasching which found her six yard box over the crossbar. She then palmed a ferocious Verena Hanshaw attempt past her right post with an instinctive reaction save. Scotland, to their credit, responded to those scares by making their way up the other end of the park and carving out a chance of their own. Caroline Weir supplied Erin Cuthbert on the edge of the area. Her team mate, though, snatched at her shot and failed to find her intended target. That, however, was a rare foray into the opposition half by Weir and her countrywomen during the opening 45 minutes. Their rivals dominated possession and bossed the middle of the park. Only the woodwork prevented them from edging ahead before half-time. Gibson, who had just denied Austria captain Sarah Puntigam with her outstretched left leg, was unable to get a hand to a Julia Hickelsberger chip and was relieved first when it hit the bar and then when her right back Emma Lawton headed the ball to safety. But Scotland were living dangerously. Kathleen McGovern, who was on target 25 times for Hibernian in 2024/25 campaign as the capital club pipped defending champions Rangers to the Premier League, was handed her Scotland debut. The 22-year-old, however, received little decent service and was unable to inflict any damage in the final third. Andreatta showed that she will pick players on form not reputation with her team selection. There was no place in the starting line-up for the returning Rachel Corsie even though her captain had announced this week that the Austria game would be last at Hampden and the meeting with the Netherlands her last in a dark blue jersey. But Jenna Clark of Liverpool was preferred to the Aston Villa centre-half. The 35-year-old has admittedly just come back after an extended period on the sidelines. So she probably only had a half of football in her legs. Still, Corsie being left on the bench underlined the new woman at the helm will have no room for sentiment. The 35-year-old came on to win her 155th cap and probably penultimate at the start of the second-half and showed no signs of her lengthy lay-off. She was, though, unable to prevent Hickelsberger glancing a header beyond Gibson and into the net at a Schasching corner and giving Austria the lead. Andreatta threw on Amy Rodgers for Watson, Martha Thomas for McGovern shortly after the forward had forced a save from Manuela Zinsberger, Kirsty Howat for Freya Gregory and Mia McAuley for Lauren Davidson. The Rangers teenager picked up her first cap. Many, many more are sure to follow for the prodigiously talented winger in the years to come. Howat had a chance to net and equaliser shortly after taking to field with nine minutes of regulation time remaining when Martha Thomas teed here up. She was, to the dismay of the 4,063-strong crowd, unable to get a shot away. But she atoned soon afterwards when she forced Zinsberger to tip her long-range effort onto the bar. The strong finish will have heartened Andreatta. But the Netherlands will present a far stiffer challenge in Tilburg on Tuesday. There will need to be a stark improvement to finish this campaign on a positive note. Corsie received a warm ovation from the fans following the final whistle. It was a shame that such a fine servant had to bow out in such disappointing fashion.
