Done Deal: Leicester City sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Aleksander Dragovic on season-long loan

By William Pearson

Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare certainly left his transfer dealings to the very end of deadline day today and the Foxes announced the arrival of Aleksander Dragovic on a season loan.

The Bayer Leverkusen defender was one of two deals pushed to the 11pm deadline by the 2016 Premier League champions as they provided a dramatic climax to a pulsating day of transfer activity.

Who is Aleksander Dragovic?

The 26-year-old has spent most of his footballing career to date with Swiss side FC Basel, moving from his native Austria Vienna in 2011 and winning three consecutive domestic titles in Switzerland.

After the third triumph he decided to test his metal out with Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev, making over 50 appearances across three seasons and establishing himself as an Austrian international too.

Since his international debut in 2009 – during his first season at Austria Vienna – Dragovic has continuously been a big part of the Austrian side, making 54 appearances in the past eight years.

What is the deal?

According to Leicester City’s official website, Dragovic has arrived at the King Power on a season-long loan deal and will switch back to Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen once the campaign ends.

Where will the Austrian fit at the King Power?

The Austrian international is an interesting addition to the ranks at the King Power, with little speculation made before deadline day, and Shakespeare’s thinking must be to add further cover.

The 26-year-old is more at home in a central defensive position, with his height and physical strength lending him well to tough battles, whilst he likes to drive with the ball like Harry Maguire.

He’s also made a bit of a name for himself by being a composed member of the Bayer Leverkusen team – with his awareness of game scenarios part of the reason he warranted a move from Dynamo Kiev  – and his excellent ability in the air will no doubt become a useful asset in the top-flight.