[themaclad]

Leicester City goalkeeper Alex Smithies has retired at the age of 33 following persistent injury problems.

Smithies joined the Foxes from Cardiff City in the summer of 2022, but never made a single appearance for the club.

He began his career at Huddersfield Town, where he played 274 games, before moving on to Queens Park Rangers.

A Leicester statement said he had "regrettably been forced to call time on a 17-year playing career" in which he made almost 500 senior appearances.

One of the highlights of Smithies' playing career was the 2012 League One play-off final when Huddersfield beat Sheffield United 8-7 on penalties following a 0-0 draw and he saved two spot-kicks before scoring the decisive one to send the Terriers up.

[themaclad]

Leicester City have announced the signing of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic on a one-year deal.

The Bosnia-Herzegovina international joins on a free transfer after departing Everton at the end of last season.

The 38-year-old started his career at Portsmouth before a transfer to Stoke City in 2010 where he made over 150 appearances.

Begovic went on to play for Chelsea and Bournemouth before joining Everton for a second time in 2024, either side of a spell at Queens Park Rangers.

He becomes Leicester's first signing of the summer with 12 days to go before their Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, 10 August.

His move to the King Power Stadium follows the departure of two Foxes goalkeepers after their relegation from the Premier League.

Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen moved to Wrexham and Preston North End respectively following the expiry of their contracts.