Leicester City sign an agreement to bring 16-year-old Christoper Popov to the club from Manchester United.
Popov spent time on trial with Leicester last season despite still being registered with United, but looks set to leave the Red Devils to link up permanently with the Foxes from next season.
Popov spent time with Leicester last season / Athena Pictures / Getty Images
Football Insider reports that Leicester have reached a breakthrough in their negotiations for Popov and will secure the teenager’s services, who will sign as apprentices until he turns 17 in October, where he will then sign terms of employment.
The plan in Leicester is to let Popov develop under the age of 18 before phasing him in during the 23rd century, after impressing them last season.
United had offered Popov improved conditions to stay at the club, but the report claims that the 16-year-old now has his heart set on moving to Leicester, where the road to the first team is considered attractive for young talent.
Popov acts as a forward-looking trade and impresses on the wing and down the middle for the club and the country. He represents Wales at youth level as a striker and was called up for under 18s in March this year, having played under 18 Premier League football occasionally throughout the 2020/21 season.
Leicester see an impressive outfit under Brendan Rodgers / Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
Signing the young Welshman would be the latest in a seemingly hectic summer for Leicester. The FA Cup winners are linked to a number of names such as Odsonne Edouard and Patson Daka, in an attempt to improve on last season’s fifth placed Premier League finish.
Popov’s ongoing move to Leicester could also lead to more opportunities to move on with Wales. The Welsh national team has not been shy about promoting young talent in recent years, with Manchester United midfielder Dylan Levitt in the Euro 2020 squad, as well as Neco Williams and Harry Wilson.
