Leicester City Football Club have announced the signing of defender Wout Faes on a five year deal.
The 24-year-old Belgium international has been signed to the Foxes for an undisclosed fee from French club Reims. He has come in as a replacement for Wesley Fofana, who joined Chelsea for £75m on Wednesday (August 30).
Speaking to LCFC TV, he said: “It’s an amazing feeling to be here; it’s not sunk in yet. This is a dream step in my career and I’m very happy to be here. I’m progressing year after year, and I hope to continue doing the same here. All the facilities and knowledge is here to help me to get even better. I will have to work hard, but I will give 100 per cent to help the team.”
Born in Mol, Belgium, Faes joined Anderlecht’s youth academy in 2012, where he played alongside Youri Tielemans, and signed his first professional contract with the Belgian Pro League side.
He joined Dutch Eredivisie outfit Heerenveen on loan in January 2017, before a season-long loan at Excelsior the following campaign, during which he made 19 appearances for the club in all competitions.
In July 2018, he made the switch to Belgian Pro League side Oostende on a permanent deal. He went on to feature for De Kustboys 63 times in all competitions, scoring once.
A move to Ligue 1 side Reims followed in January 2020, although he was allowed to finish the season with Oostende on loan, before making his debut in France eight months later.
Faes went on to make 75 appearances for The Red and Whites in all competitions, scoring five goals, and was voted the club’s Player of the Season at the end of the last campaign.
He made his debut for Belgium in their 6-1 Nations League victory over Poland in June, appearing alongside new Foxes teammates Youri Tielemans and Timothy Castagne.
