Fulham hopes over Bobby De Cordova-Reid return dashed as Leicester seal summer signing

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Evening Standard

·6 July 2024

Fulham hopes over Bobby De Cordova-Reid return dashed as Leicester seal summer signing

The Cottagers had not given up hope of agreeing fresh contract terms with the Jamaican international

Bobby De Cordova-Reid has joined Leicester after leaving Fulham as a free agent this month.

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The 31-year-old, who has just competed for Jamaica at the Copa America, has penned a three-year contract with the newly-promoted Foxes.

De Cordova-Reid joined Fulham initially on loan ahead of the 2019/20 season, and departed the club upon the expiry of his contract this month, after scoring 32 goals and registering 18 assists in 209 total appearances for the west London club.

Fulham had been willing to continue working on a potential new deal for De Cordova-Reid even after he became a free agent, but the forward rejected their offer and has instead joined Leicester, now managed by Steve Cooper.

Fulham finished 13th in the Premier League last season, while Leicester won the Championship with 97 points, pipping Ipswich to the title under Enzo Maresca, who has since departed for Chelsea.

“I want to thank the fans for welcoming me at the start and for supporting me throughout the five years — it’s been a pleasure to play for you”, De Cordova-Reid said. “We shared some great memories. And I’m forever grateful and forever Fulham.”

De Cordova-Reid began his career at Bristol City and spent two seasons at Cardiff — one of them on loan at Fulham — before joining the Cottagers permanently in 2020.

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Fulham are still yet to tie veteran winger Willian down to a new contract, after he too became a free agent this month. He is considering his options, with a number of Brazilian clubs interested in a short-term deal.

Willian, who turns 36 next month, has said he is only willing to sign one-year contracts this late in his career.