Callum Doyle: Leicester City sign defender on season-long loan from Manchester City

Leicester City have signed defender Callum Doyle on a season-long loan deal from Premier League title holders Manchester City.

During the previous season he played 44 times for Sunderland as they were promoted back to the Championship.

England under-20 international Doyle worked under Leicester manage Enzo Maresca in the youth ranks at City.

The centre back came through the academy system at City and has also won 14 caps for England Under-19s.

Doyle said: “It’s great to come to work in a place like this. I’ve worked with Enzo before and won the Under-23s Premier League title with him. He improved me a lot so it’s good to work with him again.

“What’s on everyone’s mind right now is obviously to get the club back where it belongs. This season, with the squad that we have, I think we’ll do really well.”

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Leicester City are said to be “close” to signing Brondby goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

Hermansen emerged as a transfer target for Leicester this week as they look to bolster their options between the sticks. Now The Telegraph is reporting that City are “growing increasingly confident” of agreeing a deal worth in the region of £6million.

The 23-year-old is understudy to former Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel in the Denmark national team. Bournemouth, Fulham, Everton, and Burnley have previously been credited with interest in him.

Hermansen has publicly stated his intention to leave Brondby this summer. And it is looking like he will get his wish.

Leicester have already made three signings as they prepare for life in the Championship following relegation from the Premier League. Harry Winks and Conor Coady have joined from Tottenham and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively on permanent transfers, while Callum Doyle has joined on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

City currently have Daniel Iversen and Danny Ward vying for the number one spot, on the back of Schmeichel’s departure last summer. Man City’s Zack Steffen has been a target but the Foxes seem set to focus their efforts on landing Hermansen now.

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Leicester City have completed their third signing of the summer, adding defender Callum Doyle on loan from Manchester City. The 19-year-old spent last season on loan at Coventry City in the Championship, where he helped the Sky Blues to a 5th-place finish and a spot in the promotion playoffs.

I know we have been…less than enthusiastic about some of the business we have done this summer, but that’s not the case here. The absolute worst thing we can say about this signing is that it’s just a loan and there is apparently no option to buy. Doyle not only excels at all aspects of his defensive duties, he’s outstanding when it comes to getting the ball out of defence. In spite of being only a little taller than 6’, he’s good in the air and is a set-piece threat (at least when he’s on the receiving end).

The addition of Doyle gives City formidable depth at the back. This could be evidence that manager Enzo Maresca will employ a system using three at the back. The gaffer currently has Conor Coady, Wout Faes, Harry Souttar, Jannik Vestergaard, and, of course, Doyle at his disposal. This is bad news for youth star Ben Nelson’s hopes for playing a significant role in the first team, but things a departure or two wouldn’t be a huge surprise.