Aribo set for Southampton return as Leicester begin major squad overhaul

Leicester City has confirmed that Nigerian midfielder Joe Aribo will depart the club as his loan spell concludes, marking the beginning of a significant squad restructuring after their relegation to League One. The club announced the departure of several senior players and the return of multiple loanees to their respective parent clubs.

Aribo, who spent the past season on loan at Leicester from Southampton, is now expected to return to St Mary's, where his contract runs until June 2026. The club's official statement noted that Aribo was among the temporary players leaving at the end of the campaign. His departure had seemed likely following Leicester's disappointing season, which culminated in their drop to England's third tier.

The 29-year-old midfielder joined Leicester with the hope of stabilizing the team during a turbulent period, bringing valuable Premier League and international experience. However, discussions regarding a permanent transfer reportedly stalled, with indications that Aribo was reluctant to continue playing in League One at this stage of his career. For Leicester, this list of departures signifies the start of a major rebuild as the club navigates one of the most challenging periods in its recent history.

Leicester confirmed that 10 senior first-team players will officially leave this summer upon contract expiration. Among the notable departures is club captain Ricardo Pereira, who leaves after eight seasons. Other senior players like Patson Daka and Jamaal Lascelles are also moving on. Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begović is in negotiations for a potential contract extension.

Aribo's immediate future now lies back with Southampton, though his long-term role at the club is unclear. Since his move from Rangers FC in 2022, where he won the Scottish Cup and reached the UEFA Europa League final, Aribo has experienced mixed fortunes in England. Despite showing flashes of quality and versatility, he has struggled to establish himself consistently amidst managerial changes and Southampton's fluctuating performance.

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In addition to those players, the loan spells of Jordan James, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Aribo, Dujuan Richards and Divine Mukasa will all end and see the players return to their parent clubs.