Leicester City confirm Wout Faes transfer exit as shock move emerges from nowhere

Wout Faes has left Leicester City and completed a permanent move to UAE side Shabab Al-Ahli.

The defender was linked with leaving the King Power Stadium throughout the summer after returning from his loan spell at AS Monaco. Faes spent the second half of last season in France, but the option to make it permanent was not taken.

Faes played under Russell Martin throughout pre-season before he was taken out of consideration for selection at the start of the League One season. After bids were turned down for the Belgian, West Ham pulled out of a loan move on deadline day.

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Other transfer windows remaining open meant an exit was never ruled out by Leicester or Faes, with him linked with a move to Turkey and City's sister-club OH Leuven..

The 28-year-old, who joined the Foxes in 2022, made his first appearance of the season in the 1-1 draw at Barnsley. Following a difficult few years at the club, Faes was booed throughout by sections of the Leicester fanbase.

Now, Faes' four-year spell in the Midlands has come to an end with his move to Dubai. Shabab Al-Ahli are one of the most successful teams in the UAE, with nine league titles and 11 UAE President Cups.

Faes made the move to Leicester from Reims to replace Wesley Fofana after his big-money switch to Chelsea. He was part of the team that suffered a shock relegation from the Premier League before becoming a favourite under Enzo Maresca in the Championship-winning season.

He suffered another relegation with City in 2025 before playing under Marti Cifuentes in the Championship last season. Faes' reputation with supporters hit an all-time low when he gestured towards them after scoring the winner on the first day of the season against Sheffield Wednesday.