Summer Transfers

[GeoFox]

Iain Hume - May 7 2008: "This great club doesn't deserve to be in the position that it now finds itself in but one thing I can guarantee the fans is that as players we will be doing everything in our power to get Leicester City back up to the Championship at the first attempt.

"This club is far too big for League One and it is now a case of getting our heads straight over the summer before coming back and focusing on the job in hand.

"There is bound to be a lot of speculation flying around over the next couple of months but I am a Leicester City player and am not looking to move."

LCFC Chief Exec Lee Hoos on selling Iain Hume to Barnsleh for £1.2 million: "Iain did sign a new three-year contract last summer but there is no point in trying to keep a player who does not want to play football at League One level.

"A number of clubs expressed interest in Iain and he expressed his desire to play at a higher level."

Hmm what changed!? Can't blame him too much I suppose and I thought he might stay but I wish him well. Not a bad price if we replace him as nobody else we own can put the ball in the net.

Stearman to Wolves for £1.6mill too. Again, thought he might leave and a good price. Bags of potential but only seems to play to his best when he feels like it. Player of the 2nd half of the season, another year of development here wouldn't have done too much harm.

There was an interesting thread on bbc 606 today. What happened to (mostly) good players we had who fleed after our last relegation?:

Matt Piper - Career cut short through injury
Paul Dickov - Did nothing at Blackburn.
Riccy Scimeca - Did nothing
Ben Thatcher - Went to Man City did nothing.
Lee Marshall - Got relegated again.
Muzzy Izzett - Birmingham spent most of the time injured.
Robbie Savage - Flattered to deceive.

Was the grass really greener? No disrespect to Barnsley but will they take Hume's career further or will it be another relegation struggle? Will Stearman become part of the usual wolves 'nearly men' squad?

Mattock could be off to Everton for over £2mill. Best talent we have and I fear for next season with our best players leaving. But if he can get more than reserve and substitute football it could be a very astute move for him.

[GeoFox]

Today. 3 people I've never heard of in. Sheehan out.

If, as is likely, Mattock goes, we could be very bare at left back from being in a position of strength last season. Most city fans are ambivalent about Sheehan going but I'm a bit disappointed and angry. He had many flaws to his game but so much potential, particularly surrounding that left foot of his. Holloway shunned him out of the first team squad in favour of Jamie Crapham and that was the end of his Leicester career.

I think he could have done a decent job for us next year, but he wanted to go so thats that. Perhaps more annoying is we've somehow managed to let a promising product of our youth system slip through our hands to a rival team for next to no money. But thats just the sheer incompetence surrounding this football club.

Time will tell what the new players are like. I've no positive feelings about next season though.

[Kentucky Kid]

you can have barry

[GeoFox]

ok then!

[PureOldGold]

Thanks for Stearman, looks a good prospect, all the best for the upcoming season.

[---------a]

Do you use Foxes Talk, Geo?

FoxesLee is almost certainly Lee Hoos.

There was a Saint_Lee on the saintsforum when Lee Hoos was at Southampton, who knew alot of stuff and doesn't appear to post anymore now that Hoos has left...

[GeoFox]

I do have an account but I don't think I've ever posted anything. I read it and other city forums regularly though to keep up with whats going on in the world of LCFC.

Haha, brilliant. Not a very clever disguise is it! We're getting through chief execs like we get through managers at the minute, I hope this one is alright! Whats your view on Hoos?

[Travis]

Any more young talents you want to send our way, Ash?

[T C]

ditto to trav... we'll have them all please ;D

[El Morto La Hoja!]

Tunchev joins Leicester revolution

Bulgaria international Aleksandar Tunchev has joined League One outfit Leicester from CSKA Sofia for an undisclosed fee.

The central defender, 26, played a major part in his country's Euro 2008 qualification campaign and has won 15 caps.

Tunchev has signed a three-year deal with the English League One side and manager Nigel Pearson said: "This is a major transfer coup for us and we are delighted to welcome Alex to the club. He is a strong and experienced and will be an excellent addition to our squad."

The deal is subject to the player obtaining a work permit.

Foxes chief executive Lee Hoos added: "We have had to work very hard on this deal. There was a lot of interest in Alex from clubs across Europe, but he has kept to his word and it is fantastic to have him here.

"To be in a position where we are still able to attract this calibre of player is a testament to the size of this football club."

And chairman Milan Mandaric also expressed his delight with the capture.

He told the club's website: "Alex has totally bought into our vision for the future. Of course, our immediate aim is to gain promotion back to the Championship, but he can see beyond that. That's the sort of mentality that we want around this place.

"This deal is the product of a lot of hard work and I am sure Alex will become a real favourite with our fantastic supporters."

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To say i think this signing has dodgey dealings behind it, is an understatement.

Why would a regular Bulgarian International in his mid-20s joining a League 1 team?!

[gt]

Because he's shite?

[El Morto La Hoja!]

.... i never thought of that....

[GeoFox]

He most probably got a little confused when Milan told him we were a league 1 club. He's most probably expecting visits to Old Trafford and Anfield, and instead he'll have to make do with Sixfields and the Withdean.

Our eagerly anticipated Iranian international winger turned out to be complete shite, so GT may have a point. I'll wait til I've seen him play before getting excited about it.