Joe Aribo: Nigeria midfielder seals deadline day transfer to Leicester

Nigeria midfielder Joe Aribo completed a deadline day transfer move to EFL Championship side Leicester City from Southampton until the end of the 2025-26 season.

The 29-year-old Nigeria international arrived at King Power Stadium having made 111 appearances for the Saints across four seasons in the Premier League and Sky Bet Championship.

Leicecster confirmed Aribo’s arrival in a statement on their official website: “We are pleased to confirm the loan signing of versatile midfielder Joe Aribo from Southampton until the end of the 2025-26 season, subject to league approval.”

 

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‘I just can’t wait to get going’

Speaking after putting pen to paper, the Super Eagle said: For me, it’s amazing to have got it done and I just can’t wait to get going. I’ve always known the squad is good. I’m so certain [about] where we can get to and what we can do together. It’s just good to be a part of it.”

Aribo had found game time difficult to come by on the South Coast this season. Despite his status as a seasoned international, Aribo has been limited to just seven substitute appearances for the Saints in the current campaign.

He began his career with Staines Town in 2014, competing regularly in the Isthmian League before making a move to Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2015.

Aribo became a regular fixture for the Addicks after breaking into the side in the 2016-17 campaign, with those performances eventually leading to a move to Scottish Premiership side Rangers, where he made a total of 149 appearances across all competitions, scoring 26 goals.

Aribo available for the fixture against Birmingham City

His three seasons in Glasgow with Rangers included a first league title in 10 years in 2020-21, a Scottish Cup final trophy lift in 2021-22 and over 40 appearances in European competition. Those included a goal in the UEFA Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt that same season in a game that saw Rangers edged out on penalties in Seville.

 

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Internationally, Aribo has 34 caps for Nigeria. He made his debut in a friendly away to Ukraine in August 2019 and featured for the Super Eagles in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, finishing as runners-up to host nation Ivory Coast.

Aribo is set to be available for Leicester’s fixture away at Birmingham City on Saturday. He further joins a list of Nigerian players to have played for the Foxes including Wilfred Ndidi, and Kelechi Iheanacho.