Leicester secure Chaplin transfer after Oxford ‘interest’

The Foxes sign the former Tractor Boys man on a free transfer after being released by Ipswich at the end of last season.

Chaplin had been in Suffolk for five years but spent last season on loan at former club and boyhood side Portsmouth.

The 29-year-old scored two goals on the south coast as Portsmouth survived comfortably in the Championship and joins a Leicester side who have suffered back-to-back relegation from the Premier League and second tier.

Only four seasons ago, the attacking midfielder was League One’s top scorer with Ipswich, bagging 26 goals as the club were promoted.

He scored the third goal against Karl Robinson’s Oxford that season as Ipswich beat United 3-0 at Portman Road.

Chaplin joins the Foxes on a three-year deal under new manager Russell Martin.

Conor Chaplin scores for Ipswich Town against Oxford United in 2022 (Image: Steve Edmunds)

The signing comes a month after SportsBoom had reported interest in the Englishman from Oxford.

Since then, the U’s have changed head coaches, with ex-Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey taking over from Matt Bloomfield, and have been hit with a temporary transfer embargo restricting them from registering any new players.

Upon joining the east midlands outfit, Chaplin told the club website: “I’m very excited to be here.

“Leicester City is a massive club with a brilliant fanbase, which has been obvious to me every time I’ve competed against them.

READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United loanee joins Auxerre in Ligue 1 from Luton

READ MORE: Oxford United boss opens up on transfer ban & squad absences

(Image: Newsquest)

“I’m extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to play for this great club, and I will give everything, every day, to achieve what we set out to. I’ve had some great experiences in my career so far, but there is a lot more I want to achieve.

“I like to play with an all-in attitude, energy, and a desire to help the team in any way I can. I’m looking forward to showing the supporters what I can bring. I can’t wait to meet the lads, get out on the training pitch with the manager and his staff to help this team as much as I can.”

Portsmouth’s Conor Chaplin (left) battle for possession of the ball with Southampton’s Shea Charles (Image: John Walton/PA Wire)

Chaplin began his career at Pompey in before joining Coventry City on loan for the 2018/19 season.

That move was made permanent in the January before a summer move to Barnsley where he spent two years.

Ipswich came calling in 2021 where he helped the club to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.

Chaplin follows former Southampton and England goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to the club after the experienced shot-stopper arrived at the King Power Stadium on Thursday.