Leicester City complete first deadline-day deal as young midfielder loaned to League Two

The 20-year-old was handed his senior debut in the FA Cup by Enzo Maresca last season and played every minute in the development squad’s Premier League 2 campaign

Leicester City’s first deal of deadline day has seen young midfielder Brandon Cover join League Two side Port Vale on a season-long loan.

The 20-year-old made his City debut under Enzo Maresca last season but will now get his first prolonged spell of senior football at Vale Park. He becomes the third City prospect to move on loan this week, following Sammy Braybrooke and Amani Richards’ moves to Dundee and Exeter, and more are expected to follow.

Already a senior Jamaica international, Cover played every minute of City Under-21s’ Premier League 2 campaign last season. A defensive midfielder by trade, he also played as a full-back, moving into the centre of the pitch when City were in possession, with the development squad mirroring the tactics of the first team.

Cover’s performances saw him get a call-up to Maresca’s senior squad and he made his debut in the 3-0 FA Cup victory over Birmingham in January. This summer, he trained with the first team under Steve Cooper and featured in early pre-season games.