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Socceroo Harry Souttar, who was outstanding during the World Cup campaign last year, has become Australia’s record signing and latest Premier League player with a move from Stoke City to former champions Leicester.
The move was confirmed by Leicester in a Twitter teaser just after the transfer window closed on Wedcnesday AEDT.
Souttar told the club’s website: “I’m delighted to join such a great Football Club and challenging myself in the Premier League is an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. There are world-class facilities here and a squad full of fantastic players, so I can’t wait to get started.”
Stoke wanted Souttar to stay but Leicester’s dogged pursuit for the 24-year-old was ramped up this week and he has signed until the end of 2028.
Alex Neil, the Stoke manager, declared after the FA Cup victory over Stevenage on Sunday that he expected Souttar to stay, as negotiations between the two clubs had stalled.
Leicester submitted the offer on Monday morning and Brendan Rodgers added Souttar to Victor Kristiansen and Tete as the third new arrival at the King Power Stadium this window.
Harry Souttar has become Australia’s most expensive player and the only Australian currently playing in England’s top-flight and is likely to go straight into the Foxes team.
His fee eclipses the initial $14m Huddersfield paid Manchester City for Aaron Mooy in 2007.
It pushes Mark Viduka’s $10m move from Celtic to Leeds in 2000 into third place.
Socceroos used to be a familiar sight in England’s elite – from Craig Johnston through to the likes of Viduka, Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer and Mile Jedinak.
But in recent years they have become more rare, though Mat Ryan had four seasons at Brighton – where he was briefly joined by Mooy – culminating in a spell on loan as Arsenal’s back-up keeper in 2021.
There are three other Australians on the books of Premier League clubs but all have been sent out on loan.
Tyrese Francois, a 22-year-old midfielder born in Campbelltown, came off the bench in the 89th minute of Fulham’s 0-0 draw with Wolves in August to make his Premier League debut, but is currently with Croatian club NHK Gorica.
Olyroos midfielder Caleb Watts has played in the top-flight for Southampton, but is currently turning out for tier-three Morecambe.
Garang Kuol joined Newcastle United at the start of January but was quickly sent on loan to Scottish club Hearts.
Souttar was born in Aberdeen – his brother John is a Scotland international – and was capped by the country at under-17 and under-19 level.
But his mum hails from Port Hedland in Western Australia and he has thrown in his lot with the Socceroos, making his debut in 2019 on his first visit down under.
The 24-year-old nearly missed out on the last year’s World Cup after he tore his ACL playing for the Socceroos in November 2021 but he regained fitness just in time and produced a series of eye-catching performances as Australia reached the last 16.
The Foxes’ next match is at Aston Villa on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) with a home debut marking England captain Harry Kane on Souttar’s agenda for the following weekend.
Chelsea continued their incredible January spending, agreeing a reported British record fee of 120 euros (£105 million, $183m) to sign Benfica’s Argentina international Enzo Fernandez.
He joined Benfica in August for just £10m – making it a 900 percent value in crease in 6 months.
As the deadline neared the club’s were scrambling to complete paperwork.
The deal eclipses the £100m Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish in 2021.
Fernandez, who only joined Benfica for a reported £10m in August, was named young player of the tournament during Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar.
Meanwhile Arsenal, rebuffed in a bid to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton for a club record fee, have signed Chelsea league and Champions League winner Jorginho on an 18-month deal worth $21 million.
The Gunners are five points clear at the top of the league and have midfield issues with Thomas Partey and Mo Elneny under injury clouds.
The Italian continues a line of Chelsea players past their use by date to come to the Emirates – think David Luiz, Willian, Petr Cech and William Gallas. The news was greeted with expected gloom by Arsneral fansd who have seen the Blues grab two of their top targets in Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk this window.
Jorginho is set to become Arsenal’s third signing of the January window, the club having previously bought Poland defender Jakub Kiwior from Spezia for 20m euros (£17.6m) and Belgium striker Leandro Trossard, who moved from Brighton for £21m.
Jorginho has scored 29 goals in 213 appearances for Chelsea, winning the Champions League, Europa League, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup during his time at at the club.
The midfielder was born in Brazil but moved to Italy at the age of 15 and opted to play for the Azzurri at international level.
He has 46 international caps and was part of the Italy side that beat England to win Euro 2020 at Wembley in July 2021.
Other major moves
Atletico Madrid have signed Republic of Ireland right-back Matt Doherty, 31, on a free transfer from Tottenham.
It was expected to be a loan move but Spurs announced his deal with the club has been mutually terminated.
Crystal Palace have agreed to sign Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, 23, until the end of the season.
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