Is Wilfred Ndidi Joining Besiktas After Eight Years at Leicester City?
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Leicester, Aug 8 (NationPress) The English Premier League club Leicester City has announced that they have successfully negotiated a deal with Turkish Super Lig's Besiktas for the permanent transfer of their long-time midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, pending international clearance.
The Nigerian international has signed a three-year contract with the option to extend for another year. Besiktas confirmed that both teams agreed on a transfer fee of eight million Euros.
Wilfred Ndidi made his move to Leicester from Belgian club Genk in January 2017 and quickly became an essential part of the Foxes' midfield during his eight-year stint at the King Power Stadium. He accumulated 303 appearances across all competitions, scoring 18 goals.
Known for his relentless and combative style, Ndidi has been pivotal in some of the club's most significant achievements in recent years, contributing to consecutive fifth-place finishes in the Premier League, winning the Emirates FA Cup and FA Community Shield in 2021, and clinching the Sky Bet Championship title in the 2023/24 season.
In a heartfelt statement, the club expressed gratitude to the 28-year-old for his contributions over nine years: "Starting as a promising 20-year-old, Wilf leaves as a distinguished international, earning the respect of teammates, staff, and fans for his dedication and successes while donning the Leicester City jersey.
He departs with the warmest wishes and profound thanks from everyone at Leicester City as he embarks on the next phase of his career," the statement read.
Leicester faced relegation to the Championship after achieving promotion the previous season in 2024-25. Ndidi played 2337 minutes in 28 league matches, scoring five goals.
Ndidi's transfer to Turkey signifies the end of another cherished chapter at Leicester, following the departure of club legend Jamie Vardy at the season's conclusion.