London (AFP) – Leicester moved rapidly to switch Chelsea-bound defender Wesley Fofana by signing Wout Faes from Ligue 1 aspect Reims on Thursday, their first main acquisition of the summer time simply hours earlier than the switch window closes.

The 24-year-old Belgian worldwide signed a five-year contract for an undisclosed charge, though it will likely be considerably lower than the reported £70 million ($81 million) Chelsea paid for Fofana on Wednesday.

Faes joins fellow former Anderlecht youth academy product Youri Tielemans on the membership.

“It’s a tremendous feeling (to be right here); it’s not sunk in but,” Faes instructed LCFC TV.

“That is the dream step in my profession and I’m very pleased to be right here.

“I’m progressing 12 months after 12 months, and I hope to proceed doing the identical right here.

“All of the amenities and data is right here to assist me to get even higher.

“I should work arduous, however I’ll give 100 per cent to assist the workforce.”

Faes has been at Reims since signing from Belgian aspect Oostende in January 2020. He made 75 appearances for the French outfit in all competitions, scoring 5 targets.

He was voted the membership’s participant of the season on the finish of the final marketing campaign.

He made his worldwide debut in Belgium’s 6-1 Nations League victory over Poland in June, showing alongside Tielemans and one other Leicester team-mate Timothy Castagne.