Leicester City have today finalised the signing of Swiss international midfielder Gelson Fernandes from French side Saint Etienne. Gelson, 24, joins the Foxes on a season-long loan deal and could make his debut in Saturday's npower Championship opener at Coventry City, subject to Football League approval and international clearance. A mainstay in the Switzerland side over the last four years, Fernandes made his international debut aged just 20, shortly after joining Manchester City, where he spent the first of his two years at Eastlands working under Foxes manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. "Gelson is a hugely experienced footballer and we are delighted that he is joining us at King Power Stadium," Eriksson said after recruiting his tenth new signing this summer. "He is an all-round midfielder, who can sit and protect the defence, but he is also a box-to-box player. "Gelson played for me at Manchester City and has also played in Serie A and Ligue 1 in France. He has great energy and determination, qualities which will help us this season." Manchester City paid a reported £4.2million to sign Fernandes from Swiss side Sion in 2007 and the Cape Verde-born midfielder impressed with his energetic, combative performances alongside fellow Foxes loanee Michael Johnson and former City first team coach Didi Hamann. After two years at the City of Manchester Stadium, Fernandes made the switch to Saint Etienne, for whom he made 33 appearances in his first season before a season-long loan stint with Chievo in Italy. At international level, Fernandes won the latest of his 33 Switzerland caps in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria in March. He played in all three of Switzerland's group games at Euro 2008 and scored a memorable group stage winner against eventual champions Spain at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. "I have said before that we are playing in a challenging division and we will require a strong squad to see us through 46 league games and additional cup matches," Eriksson added. "We are trying to ensure that we have two players for every position and I am sure that Gelson will have a good effect on the squad and the team." He will also wear the number 26 shirt please log in to view this image
That will probaly mean the end for Matt Oakley as we now have Abe, King, Wellens, Danns, Johnson, Fernandes and Oakley
wow!!! Didnt see this one happening!! Total shock, really does work in quiet ways does sven, no idea this was going to happen!!!
