Marti Cifuentes has already told Leicester City why he wants to sign Asmir Begovic, ‘his career…’

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Leicester City have agreed a one-year deal with veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who played under Marti Cifuentes at Queens Park Rangers.

Leicester City have failed to make their first signing of the summer transfer window as of yet for newly appointed manager Marti Cifuentes.

Cifuentes was unveiled by Leicester earlier this month, and the task at the top of the Spaniard’s to-do list is centred around bringing recruits to the King Power Stadium.

After getting his feet under the table, Cifuentes promised a “fearless” style of football for the Foxes this season, but many players that the former Queens Park Rangers boss inherited could depart this summer.

EFL Analysis revealed recently that West Ham want Mads Hermansen, and the Foxes are on the brink of adding to the goalkeeping department with a “deal agreed” for Asmir Begovic, a player Cifuentes knows very well.

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What Marti Cifuentes has already said about Leicester City target Asmir Begovic

Begovic was linked with Leicester this week, in a move which would see the 38-year-old goalkeeping veteran reunite with his former QPR manager.

Now, Sky Sports have confirmed that a deal has been struck between Begovic and Leicester. Mark McAdam reports: “Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has agreed a deal to join Leicester.

“The 38-year-old will undergo a medical and sign a one-year deal with the Championship side next week after leaving Everton earlier this summer.”

Bosnian Begovic featured 45 times in the Championship for QPR in the 2023/24 campaign, with Cifuentes replacing Gareth Ainsworth at Loftus Road in October.

Throughout the campaign, experienced keeper Begovic made several mistakes and was at fault for Middlesbrough’s second goal in their 2-0 win at Loftus Road.

In defence of Begovic, Cifuentes said in March 2024: “I’m not here just to judge individually my players. I trust them.

“In this case, if you ask me about Asmir (Begovic), his career speaks for itself and the quality he has.

“If you ask me if I want Asmir in a team that is fighting to avoid relegation, I will 100% say that I always want him in my team. The experience and leadership he has says everything.”

When analysing Begovic’s career statistics, his experience is undeniable, but whether he is still capable of performing to second tier standard, in what could be the best Championship season yet, remains to be seen.

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Asmir Begovic’s statistics in English football ahead of Leicester City move

Begovic played the majority of his football at Stoke City and Bournemouth, with his third-highest career appearances for a club coming at QPR.

Despite Begovic’s Leicester move, the Foxes are still on the hunt for goalkeeping recruits with number one Hermansen set to join the Hammers.

Reports emerged this week that Leicester have “discussed” a move for Illan Meslier after Leeds United’s Premier League promotion, but there are evident fears as to whether the Frenchman could be a suitable heir to Hermansen’s Foxes throne.

In terms of Begovic, the Bosnian brings years of experience to a new look Leicester side, but Cifuentes will be hoping those aforementioned mistakes will not surface again if the veteran is called upon next season.