Leicester City completed a major squad overhaul under manager Russell Martin, securing top striker target Emil Riis following relegation to League One. The Foxes brought in 14 new arrivals to rebuild their squad before the summer transfer deadline closed.
Russell Martin got his man at last. Leicester City gutted their relegated squad, replacing departed forward options Patson Daka and Jordan Ayew with lethal Danish firepower up front.
After misses on alternative targets like Dom Ballard, who headed to Bristol City, the Foxes board finally delivered Martin’s primary target Emil Riis alongside Admir Bristric.
“It’s a huge signing for us,” the Leicester boss declared after securing the Danish marksman.
Martin knew he had to bide his time while waiting for fringe players to depart the King Power Stadium.
“He’s been first choice and it’s taken a long while because we had to see who was going to leave the building for us and what was going to be available. So I’m very grateful to the owner.”
The overhaul saw 14 new faces arrive in Leicester, including deadline day midfielder John Lundstram to replace Hamza Choudhury. Experience arrived in Conor Chaplin and Alex McCarthy, while youth came in Harry Howell, Ilari Kangasniemi, Tommy Watson, and Kamari Doyle on loan.
“I’m very grateful to Jon [Rudkin] and James [McCarron] for pursuing it for so long. And also very grateful to Emil for hanging in and waiting for us and making it happen. He could have gone to a lot of places again.”
Martin now commands two options for every position in his fluid 4-3-3 shape.
“[He’s] played at a higher level than this, but he wants to be here. He’s someone I admired when I played against him a lot in our teams and now he’s going to help us.”
With the squad built, Leicester must fire immediately. Relegation was a disaster. Promotion back to the Championship is the non-negotiable demand.
