Leicester City have moved quickly to reinforce their midfield depth, securing the services of Super Eagles star Joe Aribo on a short-term deal as they push through a demanding phase of the Championship season.
The Foxes confirmed the arrival of the 29-year-old on loan from Southampton until the end of the campaign, a move prompted by mounting injury concerns in midfield. Jordan James and Aaron Ramsey are sidelined until March, while Hamza Choudhury is awaiting scans on a knee problem that could rule him out for an extended period.
Aribo brings significant experience to the King Power Stadium, having featured 111 times for Southampton across four seasons in both the Premier League and the Sky Bet Championship. His arrival is expected to add composure, versatility and leadership to Leicester’s engine room.
Speaking to Foxes Hub after completing the move, Aribo said:
“For me, it’s amazing to have got it done and I just can’t wait to get going. I’ve always known the squad is good. I’m so certain [about] where we can get to and what we can do together. It’s just good to be a part of it.”
Born in Camberwell, England, Aribo’s rise through the game began outside the professional ranks with non-league side Staines Town, where he impressed in the Isthmian League. His performances earned him a move to Charlton Athletic in 2015, and by the 2016/17 season, he had broken into the Addicks’ first team as a regular contributor.
A switch to Rangers followed in 2019, marking a defining chapter in his career. During three seasons in Glasgow, Aribo made 149 appearances, scored 26 goals and played a key role in the club’s domestic and European success. He lifted the Scottish Premiership title in 2020/21, won the Scottish Cup the following season and featured extensively in European competitions, including scoring in the 2022 UEFA Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
At international level, Aribo has been capped 34 times by Nigeria since making his Super Eagles debut against Ukraine in 2019. He was also part of the Nigerian squad that finished as runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
