theglobalsun – Leicester City have signed experienced goalkeeper Dai Cornell on a one-year contract following his departure from Preston North End. The 35-year-old Welshman joins the Foxes as a free agent after leaving Preston during the summer.
Cornell had been offered a new contract by Preston to remain with the Championship club. However, the goalkeeper decided to leave after receiving the opportunity to pursue another challenge.
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His move to Leicester sees him drop into League One as the Foxes strengthen their goalkeeping options. The club needed additional cover after Jakub Stolarczyk suffered a season-ending knee injury in early September.
Cornell arrives with extensive experience from a career spanning several clubs across England and Scotland. He began his career with Swansea City and has subsequently represented numerous teams at different levels.
The Welshman has been on the books of 11 clubs during his career. His previous teams include Ipswich Town, Preston North End, St Mirren, Portsmouth, Oldham Athletic, Northampton Town and Peterborough United.
Cornell Adds Experience to Leicester Squad
Leicester manager Russell Martin believes Cornell can provide more than his abilities as a goalkeeper. His experience in professional football could also prove valuable within a squad aiming to return to the Championship.
Cornell has welcomed the opportunity and said he wants to help Leicester in any way possible. His attitude could allow him to contribute both through his performances and his experience around the squad.
The goalkeeper has spent much of his career competing in the professional divisions. His previous experience with Preston and Ipswich gives him familiarity with the demands of English league football.
Cornell’s arrival also gives Leicester another senior option during a period when their goalkeeping department has been affected by injury. Stolarczyk’s absence means the club needed additional depth for the remainder of the campaign.
Former Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has been the most frequently used Leicester goalkeeper so far this season. The 35-year-old previously earned one England cap during his international career.
McCarthy has therefore been carrying much of the goalkeeping responsibility since the beginning of the campaign. Cornell’s arrival should provide additional competition and experience within the position.
Argentine goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli is another option available to Martin. The goalkeeper joined Leicester during the summer after arriving from Blackpool.
Ravizzoli has been named among the substitutes since Stolarczyk was ruled out with his knee injury. Cornell now provides another experienced alternative for Martin as Leicester continue their League One campaign.
His time at Preston was particularly recent, with the goalkeeper receiving a new contract offer before ultimately leaving the Championship club. He was therefore available as a free agent when Leicester completed the move.
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Leicester will now hope Cornell can provide dependable cover and contribute his experience during their promotion campaign. His one-year contract keeps him at the club through the current season.
