Leicester City have made their second signing of the
summer, after securing the services of Arsenal’s highly rated 20-year-old
central defender Ignasi Miquel on a season-long loan deal.
The Barcelona-born youngster has made 14 senior
appearances for the Gunners and will bolster City manager Nigel Pearson’s
defensive options ahead of Sunday’s King Power Stadium clash with Leeds United.
He will be available for selection subject to his registration being cleared by
the Football League and the Football Association.
At 6ft 4ins, Miquel is an imposing figure in defence, but
as well as his physical presence and qualities in the air, the youngster is
known for his ability to bring the ball out from the back.
City boss Nigel Pearson said: "Ignasi is a
centre-back with lots of potential and he will give us another option in
defence. He's very enthusiastic and delighted to be here, which is a big part
of taking players on loan for us.
"We'll see how he is with regard to availability and
whether he will be part of the squad for Sunday's game against Leeds."
After making his professional debut in February 2011
against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup, Miquel’s development continued under the
tutelage of Arsene Wenger - his Premier League and Champions League bows coming
later that same year against Liverpool and Olympiakos respectively.
Last season the defender featured three times for
Wenger’s men, including the memorable 7-5 win at Reading in the Capital One
Cup, and scored his first senior goal in a 6-1 win over Coventry in the
previous round.
A Spanish Under-21 international and member of
Barcelona’s famed academy system at a young age, Miquel arrives at King Power
Stadium with an impressive pedigree, having featured heavily for the Gunners
this pre-season.
The technically gifted central defender, who is capable
of playing at left-back if required, will be hoping to make the squad for
Sunday’s visit of Leeds and experience his first taste of Sky Bet Championship
football.
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