Chipolopolo forward Patson Daka will officially leave Leicester City this summer after the club confirmed his departure following the expiration of his contract.
The 27-year-old striker is among 10 senior players set to leave the King Power Stadium after a difficult campaign that ended with Leicester City suffering relegation from the Championship to League One.
Daka’s departure brings an end to a five-year journey in England that included silverware, memorable goals, and several important moments for both club and country.
Leicester Confirm Major Squad Changes
Leicester City announced the departures as part of a major squad rebuild following relegation.
Club captain Ricardo Pereira will also leave the Foxes after eight seasons at the club. The Portuguese defender made 220 appearances and helped Leicester win the 2021 FA Cup and Community Shield.
Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew, defender Jamaal Lascelles, and academy graduate Wanya Marçal are also leaving when their contracts expire.
Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begović remains in discussions with the club regarding a possible contract extension.
The club also confirmed the end of several loan spells, with Jordan James, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Aribo, Dujuan Richards, and Divine Mukasa all returning to their parent clubs.
In a statement, Leicester City thanked the departing players for their contributions.
“We would like to thank all players who are leaving us for their contributions during their time on Filbert Way and wish them the very best for the future,” the club said.
Daka’s Journey at Leicester City
Patson Daka joined Leicester City from Austrian side FC Red Bull Salzburg in 2021 in a deal reportedly worth €30 million, which at the time became the highest transfer fee involving a Zambian player.
The striker arrived in England with huge expectations following his explosive goalscoring form in Austria.
During his time at Leicester, Daka scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists in 166 appearances across all competitions.
He was also part of the squad that lifted the FA Community Shield and eventually became Leicester City’s leading scorer in European competitions.
Although injuries and inconsistency affected sections of his spell in England, Daka still produced several memorable performances in Leicester colours.
Interest Growing Across Europe
With Daka now set to become available, interest in the Chipolopolo striker is already growing ahead of the summer transfer window.
Spanish clubs Sevilla FC and Valencia CF are among the teams reportedly monitoring the Zambian international’s situation.
At 27 years old, Daka still has plenty of experience and quality to offer, and many supporters believe a fresh environment could help him rediscover his best form.
Important Moment for Chipolopolo
Daka’s next move will also be closely followed by Zambia supporters, with the striker remaining one of Chipolopolo’s most important players.
As Zambia prepares for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, regular football and strong performances at club level will be crucial for the forward.
Many fans will now be eager to see where the former Salzburg star continues his career next season.
Conclusion
Patson Daka’s time at Leicester City may be coming to an end, but the Chipolopolo striker leaves behind an important chapter in Zambian football history.
From becoming the most expensive Zambian player ever to lifting silverware in England, Daka’s journey at Leicester included several major milestones.
Now, with new opportunities emerging across Europe, the next chapter of his career could become one of the most important yet.
