Leicester City Football Club can confirm that exciting young striker Patson Daka will join the Club on a five-year-deal from 1 July, subject to Premier League and international clearance.
– Zambian striker Patson Daka will join City on a five-year-deal from 1 July
– The 22-year-old is set to join the Foxes from RB Salzburg
– He has scored 61 times in his last 87 outings for the Austrian champions
The 22-year-old Zambian international will join City from RB Salzburg, where his goals helped the Austrian side to four successive league titles and a total of seven trophies in four seasons.
The striker has scored 68 times in 125 appearances for RB Salzburg in all competitions. His 27 strikes in only 28 appearances saw him finish as the Austrian Bundesliga’s top scorer last term, as well as being named the league’s Player of the Season.
Speaking to LCFC TV, Daka said: “I’m so, so excited to join this great, historic Club. It has been my dream and I’m so happy and looking forward to what’s coming next.
“I have followed Leicester from the time they won the league. I feel it is the perfect place for me, because it’s a team that fights for titles. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I feel ready to face this new challenge.
“I will give my best for the Club each and every day, and I look forward to seeing the Leicester City fans inside the stadium soon.”
Born in Zambia, Daka spent part of his youth career with Nchanga Rangers and Kafue Celtic in his homeland before joining Austrian side Liefering on loan in 2017.
He immediately impressed in the second tier of Austrian football and soon went on to sign a five-year deal with RB Salzburg later that year, while being allowed to continue his progress on loan with Liefering.
Daka’s performances for RB Salzburg’s youth sides continued to catch the eye as his goal in the final of the 2017 UEFA Youth League helped the team to victory over Benfica and saw him progress to feature 12 times for the first team in the 2017/18 season.
RB Salzburg lifted the league title in that campaign, with Daka’s performances seeing his importance to the team grow – eventually going on to make a further 26 appearances the following season as the team completed a league and cup double.
In 2019/20, RB Salzburg did the double once again, as the talented striker took his goal tally to 27 for the season as well as playing UEFA Champions League football, making his debut in a 6-2 win against Genk in September 2019.
Daka’s progress continued last term with a further 34 goals in all competitions, taking his total for the last two campaigns to an incredible 61 goals in just 87 appearances, while also helping RB Salzburg complete a third league and cup double.
At international level, he has featured for his country 22 times at senior level, scoring seven goals and being named the Confederation of African Football’s Young Player of the Year in 2017.
Daka will link up with his new Leicester City team-mates in July to begin preparations for the 2021/22 Premier League season.
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