Leicester bolster midfield with Smallbone as Martin reunion looms

Leicester City have secured Ireland international Will Smallbone on a free transfer, signing him to a three‑year contract after his departure from Southampton earlier this summer. The midfielder joins the Foxes as they look to reinforce a struggling side in League One.

Midfield reinforcement and familiar faces

Leicester marked the fourth club Smallbone has represented, adding depth to a midfield that has lacked experience since the club’s relegation. The signing also reunites him with Russell Martin, who oversaw 54 games with Smallbone at the Saints, offering immediate familiarity for the Foxes. A Getty photograph captured Smallbone signing the contract at the King Power Stadium.

Smallbone said, “I’m really looking forward to getting started. I’m hungry and looking forward to being at Leicester City. I have spent a long time playing under the manager previously, I know a few of the boys here and I’ve played against a few of them in my time so I think that should help me to settle in quite quickly.”

Smallbone’s departure ended an 18‑year association with Southampton, where he joined aged eight. He made 90 appearances for the Saints across the Championship and Premier League, contributing 15 goals or assists, and enjoyed loan spells at Stoke City and Millwall. Internationally, he has earned 15 caps for the Republic of Ireland, though he has not featured since last October.

The move drops Smallbone into League One for the first time in his career. He is eligible to make his Leicester debut on 6 October against Stevenage in the EFL Trophy.

Leicester's wider challenges

The Foxes have had a difficult start to life in the third tier, accruing just nine points from their opening seven league fixtures. Early‑season woes have prompted some supporters to turn on Martin, who took over as manager in the summer.

Off the pitch, uncertainty looms over ownership as Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha is understood to be seeking more than £200 million for the club. One party interested in purchasing Leicester is the Bharat Consortium Group, led by Scottish‑Indian businessman Neil Lal, who warned of serious financial hurdles before any deal can be completed.