Dean Hammond Signs For City

Subject to his registration being confirmed by the Football League and the Football Association, Hammond, 30, will join the Foxes for an undisclosed fee, strengthening the midfield options available to manager Nigel Pearson.

A promotion winner with the Saints in 2011 and 2012, Hammond becomes City’s third new signing of the summer, following the arrivals of defenders Zoumana Bakayogo from Tranmere Rovers and Ignasi Miquel on loan from Arsenal.

Dean’s registration was not complete in time for Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship trip to Charlton Athletic, but he will be eligible for City’s first game after the forthcoming international break, when Wigan Athletic visit King Power Stadium on Saturday 14 September. He has been assigned the number seven shirt.

City manager Nigel Pearson said: "We're really pleased to be able to add a player of Dean's quality and experience to the squad.

"As well as having played a considerable number of games in his career, he also arrives with promotion credentials and will be a very positive influence on the squad both on and off the pitch."

Dean added: "Once I knew of Leicester’s interest I wanted to come. My mind was made up. There was some interest from other clubs, but once Leicester was mentioned and I spoke to the manager, I wanted to come here.

"It’s a massive Football Club. They came close last year in the play-offs and they've got a good history. It’s a Club that’s going places and wants to push to the Premier League. It’s very exciting to be here."

An authoritative, experienced presence in the middle of the park with over 400 career appearances to his name, Hammond spent most of last season on loan with Brighton & Hove Albion, playing 37 league games and scoring twice, helping Albion reach the Championship Play-Offs.

It was a second spell with the Seagulls for Hammond, who began his career with the East Sussex club. He made his debut as a 17-year-old in December 2000 and spent the next seven years at Brighton before joining Colchester United, then of the Championship, in January 2008.

An impressive 18 months with the U’s led to Hammond being recruited by Southampton to lead the Saints’ resurgence following relegation to League 1. With Hammond regularly captaining the side, they bounced back to the Championship under Nigel Adkins in 2011, before making it back-to-back promotions the following season, securing a Premier League return after a seven-year absence.