Faes leaves Leicester for UAE club Shabab Al Ahli

Wout Faes joins Leicester from French club Reims in the summer of 2022 [Getty Images] Out-of-favour Belgium international defender Wout Faes has left Leicester City to join United Arab Emirates club Shabab Al Ahli. The 28-year-old had reportedly been on the brink of joining West Ham on transfer deadline day in September, but the move collapsed. While the summer transfer window in England and across Europe closed on Faes, the Foxes continued to search for a way to rid themselves of one of the club's highest earners as they adjust to jarring financial realities of life in League One. With the deadline for moves to the UAE Pro League still days away, interest from the Dubai-based club has allowed Faes to leave Leicester after four years, in which he made more than 130 appearances and played a part in three relegations. Details of the deal and any payment made to Leicester for the transfer have not been disclosed by either club. Faes, who has has earned 28 caps for Belgium since 2021, made his one and only appearance for the Foxes this term in their League One draw at Barnsley just before the start of the international break earlier in September. He had spent the second half of last season on loan at Monaco, but the French club did not take up the option to make the move permanent. It meant he once again took his place among Leicester's high-profile and high-earning squad which became the focus of a summer clearout after suffering back-to-back relegations from the Premier League and Championship. Denmark international Jannik Vestergaard had his Leicester contract terminated by mutual consent in July, while Abdul Fatawu left for Ipswich Town, Hamza Choudhury joined Sheffield United and former England midfielder Harry Winks was sold to Italian side Cagliari. Meanwhile, Victor Kristiansen was sent out on loan to Greek side Panathinaikos, and Stephy Mavididi and Oliver Skipp made similar moves to Watford and Charlton respectively. Earlier in the summer, forwards Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka, as well as captain Ricardo Pereira were all released at the end of their contracts. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page