George Thomas and Viktor Johansson 8 released by Leicester City

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/george-thomas-viktor-johansson-called-4265183

 

The Premier League have published released lists for all 20 clubs, with eight players to depart the King Power Stadium upon the expiry of their contracts next week

ByJordan Blackwell
20:23, 25 JUN 2020UPDATED07:18, 26 JUN 2020

Under-23s captain George Thomas and the development squad’s first-choice goalkeeper Viktor Johansson are among eight players who will leave Leicester City at the end of their contracts next week.

Wigston-born midfielder Thomas, who signed from Coventry three years ago, leaves without making a first-team appearance for City, although he was an unused substitute on three occasions under Claude Puel.

The 23-year-old took the captain’s armband for Steve Beaglehole’s side for the first half of this season, and then spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Alan Pardew’s ADO Den Haag, until the season was cut short in the Netherlands.

 

Johnasson, who joined from Aston Villa two years ago, has played all but five of the Under-23s’ Premier League 2 fixtures since his arrival, the Swede impressing as City battled at the top in both seasons.

Irish attacking midfielder Conor Tee, the Under-18s player of the season in 2018, has also been released along with target man Ryan Loft, who joined two years ago from Tottenham and spent this season on loan at League Two side Carlisle.

Goalkeeper Rhys Davies, defenders Ed Elewa-Ikpakwu and Justen Kranthove also say their goodbyes.

Completing the list is Faiq Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei’s nephew and the so-called richest footballer in the world, who leaves City after four years.

Andy King and Papy Mendy are also named on the Premier League’s released players’ list. Both have signed extensions until the end of the season, with King completing the Championship campaign on loan at Huddersfield before officially departing City.

 

Mendy is still in talks over a new deal that would see him stay next year.

[Webbo]

Bit surprised about Johansson, I thought he was a keeper. 

[Fox92]

Thomas was always a strange one. He was playing for Cov, in fact I'm sure he scored at Wembley for them in football league trophy final. 

[matty98]

Always thought Johansson looked a decent keeper when I watched the u23s games. Shame he never got a loan out to see what level he was really at.

[Guest]

Thomas seems to have ruined his career by coming to LCFC. 

 

I think he'll be picked up somewhere and have a decent pro career.

Goalkeepers are always the weirdest of players to make it. Johansson looked a good keeper but it's all about getting the breaks at the right time. Hope he lands somewhere else.

 

Best wishes to all the players being released.

[Captain...]

I'd heard lots of people mention Connor Tee as a real prospect on here, surprised he's gone.

[Stevosevic]

1 minute ago, Captain... said:

I'd heard lots of people mention Connor Tee as a real prospect on here, surprised he's gone.

[FoxinNotts]

Surprised by this tbh. Both looked great prospects to me 🤷🏻‍♂️

[Captain...]

3 minutes ago, Stevosevic said:

Wasn't meant to be funny, I only really know what's going on in the academy from here. Has he gone shite?

[TheUltimateWinner]

Wonder who our U21 keeper will be now? Iversen is too old, will be interesting to see what happens with him, can't imagine he'd want to be a squad player (with Ward and Jakupovic infront of him) as he's done well on his loan moves.

[Webbo]

Just now, TheUltimateWinner said:

Wonder who our U21 keeper will be now? Iversen is too old, will be interesting to see what happens with him, can't imagine he'd want to be a squad player (with Ward and Jakupovic infront of him) as he's done well on his loan moves.

I really rated Johansson. I can only think they've got a good prospect lined up. 

[Guest]

Just now, TheUltimateWinner said:

Wonder who our U21 keeper will be now? Iversen is too old, will be interesting to see what happens with him, can't imagine he'd want to be a squad player (with Ward and Jakupovic infront of him) as he's done well on his loan moves.

How the hell is Jakupovic still on our staff - is it because he's a friend of Geoffs? He really isn't in front of anyone.

 

We seem to be incredibly good at finding excellent young keepers (apart from Jaku) so U21 won't be a problem.

[Danno]

1 minute ago, FIF said:

How the hell is Jakupovic still on our staff - is it because he's a friend of Geoffs? He really isn't in front of anyone.

 

We seem to be incredibly good at finding excellent young keepers (apart from Jaku) so U21 won't be a problem.

He’s popular in the dressing room, low wages and is actually a decent keeper.. don’t see the problem really 

[RowlattsFox]

George Thomas has wasted the beginning of his career, he was already playing at reasonable level before singing for our under 23s. I get that he probably backed himself to make it here but it was always unlikely.

 

Tee was supposed to have potential, Johannsson never looked too bad but I guess you can't keep all your keepers, they must have plans for someone else.  

[AKCJ]

I thought Johansson was well thought of here?

 

Unless it's his decision, who knows.

[Guest]

Just now, DanNDH88 said:

He’s popular in the dressing room, low wages and is actually a decent keeper.. don’t see the problem really 

What are you basing the "decent keeper" statement on? The only time he's played for us he was poor and surely he can't be cheaper than Johansson. How much is our "third string" keeper earning?

[Webbo]

It could be in some cases that these players have turned down new contracts, either wanted more money or fancied their chances elsewhere. 

[los dedos]

30 minutes ago, davieG said:

Faiq Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei’s nephew and the so-called richest footballer in the world

Did this guy play any games ?Never even seen his name come up for U18s let alone higher up

[rachhere]

Disappointed to hear that about Johansson

[davieG]

32 minutes ago, Fox92 said:

Thomas was always a strange one. He was playing for Cov, in fact I'm sure he scored at Wembley for them in football league trophy final. 

Yes in hindsight probably set his career back by a couple years.

[Shane]

10 minutes ago, TheUltimateWinner said:

Wonder who our U21 keeper will be now? Iversen is too old, will be interesting to see what happens with him, can't imagine he'd want to be a squad player (with Ward and Jakupovic infront of him) as he's done well on his loan moves.

 

8 minutes ago, Webbo said:

I really rated Johansson. I can only think they've got a good prospect lined up. 

U18s keeper Oliver Bosworth won academy player of the season last year, so maybe he’s next in line.

 

We also have Chituru Odunze who is supposed to be highly rated. 6’6, 17 yr old Canadian keeper we signed last year.

[coolhandfox]

I'd imagine the lose of income due to COVID, has probably sharpen the knife, as we need to be a little more leaner on the wages side . 

[davieG]

7 minutes ago, coolhandfox said:

I'd imagine the lose of income due to COVID, has probably sharpen the knife, as we need to be a little more leaner on the wages side . 

We also need players that are better or better prospects. We really need to up the numbers that have the ability to go on loan to Championship sides not L1/2

 

We don't just want players who are only there to win the U23 League.

[brucey]

Does this mean Sam Hughes has signed a new contract with us? As his contract was due to expire this summer and he isn't on the list. If so, I really hope he manages to kick on from his injury issues, still rate him highly 

[Lesta2014]

Suprised not to see Sam Hughes on the released list? Anyone know what’s happening with him?