Fulham have completed the signing of Leicester City full back Timothy Castagne this morning – for an initial fee believed to be in the region of £12m.

The Belgian international becomes the Whites’ fourth signing of the summer and has put pen to paper on a four-year contract at Craven Cottage, which Fulham are able to extend by a further twelve months. Marco Silva described the 27 year-old as ‘one of my first targets’ during his press conference yesterday – and the former Genk defender, who can play in either full back role or further forward, referenced the protracted nature of the negotiations in his comments after signing on the dotted line:

“I feel very good. It’s been a long transfer window, but finally I’m here, and I’m happy to be here. It’s a big relief. I’ve talked to the manager and I just can’t wait to start training and playing.”

Castagne, who made 112 appearances for Leicester, scored on his Premier League for the Foxes and helped City lift the FA Cup in 2021 – when Brendan Rodgers’ side beat Chelsea in the final at Wembley. His departure will allow Leicester to cut their cloth accordingly as Enzo Maresca aims for an immediate return to the top flight following last season’s relegation and the attack minded full-back will challenge both Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson for a starting spot in Silva’s side.

He has won 33 senior international caps for Belgium having emerged from the Genk youth set-up, making 27 first-team appearances having been handed his debut at the age of 18 and followed that up by starring as they finished fifth and reached the quarter finals of the Europa League in 2017. Castagne moved to Atalanta, whom he helped finish third in Serie A in consecutive campaigns, and played in the Champions’ League for the first time.