Leicester sign Victor Kristiansen in £17m deal

The 20-year-old becomes the Foxes' first signing of the winter transfer window and has penned a five-and-a-half year contract with Brendan Rodgers's men.

Kristiansen arrives at the King Power Stadium to compete with the likes of Luke Thomas and James Justin for the left-back spot, although the latter is sidelined for the long-term with a serious calf injury.

The defender came through the youth ranks at Copenhagen and totalled 73 appearances for the club in total, scoring one goal and setting up eight more in all tournaments.

"It feels amazing. It's really exciting to be here and I'm so excited to meet everyone at the Club, as well as the fans," Kristiansen told the official Leicester website.

"The Premier League is probably the best league in the world, and Leicester is a top team, so of course, I was excited. It was a no-brainer for me to say yes to this great opportunity.

"I am so excited. I just can't wait. It will be amazing and I'm sure we'll get back on track together. I've been waiting for this opportunity, it's really exciting to be here and to meet everyone around the Club and the fans especially.

"These are the best facilities to be a top professional footballer and to keep my development going and to win some football games. I've heard a lot of good stories about the group and about the Club. It's an amazing squad. I'm ready to meet all of the guys and say hello to them."

Kristiansen scored his only goal for Copenhagen in the first half of the 2022-23 season, where he also started five games in the group stage of the Champions League.

A Denmark Under-21 international, the left-back - who won one Danish Superliga title with Copenhagen - has set up one goal in eight appearances for his country at that level.

"It's bittersweet to leave Copenhagen. That's been my home since I was four. I have everybody to thank at Copenhagen, but I couldn't wait to take this opportunity and join Leicester City," Kristiansen added.

"It's the biggest league in the world. I've seen Leicester play in Parken before, in 2016, in the Champions League. I remember it was a tactical game, a big game for Copenhagen, and I remember Leicester being stable and powerful so it was interesting to see.

"I've heard about them winning the Premier League and I obviously know that Kasper [Schmeichel] was here a few years ago - a great Dane. Brendan seems to be a really nice manager and guy, so I am looking forward to working with him."

Kristiansen will join Leicester for first-team training on Monday and could make his debut when the Foxes tackle Walsall in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.