OGC Nice's summer transfer activity kicked on in mid-week as they added the prestigious signature of Denmark 'keeper Kasper Schmeichel from Leicester City, as well as Italy U21 stopper Mattia Viti, while Reims nabbed the services of England U21 striker Folarin Balogun.
OGC Nice are not stopping on the transfer market. After the arrivals of Alexis Beka Beka and Aaron Ramsey at the start of the week, the Côte d'Azur club completed the recruitment of Kasper Schmeichel (35). A highly experienced Danish international (84 caps) and semi-finalist at the last Euro with his national team, Schmeichel has been Leicester's goalkeeper since 2011 and has played 479 games in all competitions.
With the English club, he was English champion in 2016, but also winner of the English Cup and the Community Shield in 2021. He is considered a leader in the dressing room and will have to play this role in Nice, along with captain Dante, with a very young squad. The length of his contract has not been revealed.
Bienvenuto!
The Allianz Riviera side also welcomed a new central defender on Wednesday: Mattia Viti. The 20-year-old Italian U-21 international arrives from his parent club Empoli, with whom he played 22 games in all competitions last season (including 20 in Serie A).
Arsenal striker on loan at Reims
Meanwhile, Stade de Reims are strengthening their attacking sector, signing England U21 international striker Folarin Balogun on loan from Arsenal for one season. A product of the Arsenal youth system, he has just completed a six-month loan at Middlesbrough, where he played 18 English D2 matches (three goals and three assists).
"The 21-year-old striker has a number of qualities, including space management, a sense of depth and a lucidity in the final move that is rare for a young striker," the club said in its official statement.
>> Balogun, Cherki, and this season's potential breakout stars
>> TRANSFERS: All the summer moves
(Credit: OGCN)
