Former Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles is set to leave Leicester City alongside several high-profile team-mates, bringing a swift and brutal end to his short spell at the King Power Stadium.
The announcement was made as part of a major reorganization by the Foxes following their disastrous relegation to League One.
Lascelles, who spent 12 years at St James’ Park and famously captained the Magpies to the Championship title, only left Tyneside in January in search of a new chapter.
However, his stay in the East Midlands was cut short as the club decided to completely reset its playing staff.
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Former Newcastle star Jamaal Lascelles to leave Leicester City when contract expires
Leicester City formally acknowledged the mass exodus in a club statement detailing the departure of 10 senior players when their contracts expire this summer.
The club said it was also close to signing veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begovic as well, but that he “continues to discuss with us the possibility of extending his stay at the King Power Stadium”.
The statement posted on the official website is as follows.
“We can confirm that 10 men’s first team players will be leaving Leicester City Football Club when their contracts expire this summer.
“Among them is captain Ricardo Pereira, who has played 220 games in eight seasons since joining from his native Porto in the summer of 2018.
“Along with Ricardo, strikers Patson Daka and Jordan Ayew, defender Jamal Lascelles and academy graduate Wanya Marzal will also leave the team at the end of the season when their contracts expire.
“Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic’s contract is also due to expire this summer, but he continues to have discussions with us about the possibility of extending his stay at the King Power Stadium.”
Jamal Russell’s time at Leicester was a disaster
For Lascelles, the free transfer is an opportunity to quickly rebuild the team.
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The experienced centre-back, who had barely settled into life at the Foxes after an emotional departure from Newcastle in January, suddenly finds himself back on the market.
At 32 years old, the tough-tackling defender still has plenty of leadership value and a top-notch pedigree.
His short stint at Leicester didn’t quite go to plan, but his wealth of experience anchoring Premier League backlines means he will have no shortage of suitors as clubs look to acquire proven defensive leadership on free transfers this summer.
