Highest ever fee agreed for a Socceroo as Harry Souttar secures move to the Premier League
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Socceroos star Harry Souttar is set to join the Premier League, signing with Leicester City in a deal reportedly worth $26 million (£15m).
BBC reports that the deal between Leicester and Stoke had been agreed on the January transfer window deadline day.
It will signal the highest-ever fee spent on an Australian international footballer, surpassing the $17 million (£10m) Huddersfield spent on Aaron Mooy.
The defender had been linked to a move to English football’s top league after an impressive array of performances for the Socceroos at the World Cup in Qatar.
Brendan Rodgers' team had been consistently linked to Souttar throughout the January window and it looks as though the Foxes stepped up their interest on the final day of the window.
The Australian leaves Stoke City behind who are currently placed 18th in the Championship.
The Scottish-born centre-back signed for The Potters in 2016 and spent multiple seasons on load before securing his first-team spot at the side.
— Leicester City (@LCFC) January 31, 2023
His previous side Dundee United will be celebrating the move as The Daily Record reports that the deal will see the Scottish side receive a 20 per cent cut due to the sell-on clause.
The 24-year-old is undergoing a medical as the Foxes race to get the deal completed before the deadline runs up.
Souttar played for the Scottish under-17 team at the youth level before he was called up to the Australian under-23 team.
He officially switched allegiances to Australia when he made his debut in 2019 against Nepal, scoring twice in a 5-0 win.
He was an integral part of the Socceroos' journey into the round of 16 for the World Cup for the first time since 2006.
We're getting a top class defender in Harry Souttar 👏 #LCFC pic.twitter.com/UFBxPoILz4
— ComeOnLeicester.com (@Come0nLeicester) January 31, 2023
At 6ft 6in, Souttar opposes a significant threat in the air as is evident by his six goals in 13 appearances for the Australian national team.
Elsewhere on deadline day, Italian star Jorginho made the switch across London from Chelsea to Arsenal.
The Blues are racing to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in a reported British record transfer fee that could surpass his £106 million ($185m) release clause.
Manchester United also made a move for a centre-midfielder with Christian Eriksen set to be on the sidelines until at least April with an injury.
They have signed Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich with an option to buy reportedly included in the deal.
Featured Image Credit: PA Images / Alamy. News Images LTD / Alamy.
Topics: Transfers, Premier League, Leicester City, Australia, Football
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