Leicester's title-winner is Anderlecht's cheap fix

Legendary goalie Kasper Schmeichel has signed a one-year deal with Anderlecht just days after terminating his contract with Nice. The 36-year-old Denmark goalkeeper had been told by the French Ligue 1 club that they were no longer counting on him for the 2023/24 season.

Anderlecht sporting director Jesper Fredberg announced the Dane's signing.

"The arrival of Kasper is part of our desire to create competition in all positions. He can teach us a lot thanks to his experience."

Schmeichel is best known for his time at Leicester, where he was part of the 2015/16 Premier League title-winning team and lifted the FA Cup in 2021. However, his journey wasn't straightforward. He came through the ranks at Manchester City, and made ten appearances for the Citizens' first team. After a journey through the lower tiers of English football with Notts County and Leeds, he joined Leicester City in 2011, marking the beginning of his storied career.

The Foxes earned promotion to the Premier League in 2014, and Kasper played a pivotal role in the team's historic EPL title win in 2016. After an impressive 11 seasons and 479 games with Leicester City, he bid farewell to the club last year, leaving to join OGC Nice, a decision which proved far from wise. His experience and knowledge wasn't appreciated in France, but he'll try to have a dignified end to his professional career in Brussels.

"I'm very excited about the project that they’re putting in place here. Anderlecht is just a massive club and former teammates from different places have always talked so highly and warmly of this place. It was something that I really wanted to become part of."

Kasper has been a prominent figure as the Danish national team's long-serving number one. His international journey includes appearances in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and a notable run to the semi-finals at the 2020 European Championship. Frequently entrusted with the captain's armband, Peter Schmeichel's son boasts an impressive 91 caps for the national team.

Anderlecht struggled with financial difficulties last season and finished 11th in the Belgian top flight, but have started better this term and sit second after four wins in their first six matches.