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Leicester make triple signing

Leicester City have boosted their squad ahead of the new season with the signings of Janice Cayman, Lena Petermann and Janina Leitzig.

Janice Cayman joins from Olympique Lyonnais, subject to league and international clearance. The 34-year-old right-sided player has won 137 international caps for Belgium and will bring a wealth of elite level experience to the Foxes, having played in her native country, as well as enjoying successful stints in the United States and France.

 

She holds the record for the highest number of appearances for Belgium’s women’s team, making her one of the most important players in her country’s history, while her 48 international goals make her the Red Flames’ second-highest scorer of all time.

 

Cayman arrives at Belvoir Drive following a highly decorated spell in France, where she helped Olympique Lyonnais win two UEFA Women’s Champions League titles, three domestic league titles and two domestic cups since joining the side in 2019.

 

Speaking to LCFC.com, Cayman said: “It’s been a warm welcome and I’m very happy to be here. It’s a new country to play football for me, but maybe one of the biggest countries to play in.

 

“It will be a big challenge but it’s very exciting to be in a new league, to meet new teams and to just give it my all.”

 

She started her senior career with OH Leuven in 2007 before spells with KVK Tienen and Pali Blues. A switch to Florida State Seminoles followed in 2010 prior to returning to Europe in 2012 and signing for FCF Juvisy in the French First Division. She spent four seasons with FCF Juvisy and later penned a deal with Montpellier following a brief stint with Western New York Flash, where she won the National Women's Soccer League.

 

A key player for Montpellier during a two-year period, Cayman then moved to Olympique Lyonnais in 2019, winning two UEFA Women’s Champions League titles, three Division 1 Féminine and two Coupe de France.

 

Internationally, she is her country’s most capped women’s player (137) and brought up a century of appearances against Lithuania in November 2019. She made her debut for the Belgian Red Flames in May 2007, and has represented her country at UEFA Women's Euro 2017 and UEFA Women's Euro 2022.

Germany international striker Lena Petermann has signed from French Division 1 outfit Montpellier. The 29-year-old makes the move to the Barclays Women's Super League on a permanent basis following four impressive seasons in the French top flight, with her latest spell seeing her return 26 goals from 48 league appearances.

 

A senior Germany international, Petermann joins Willie Kirk’s side with 25 caps to her name and adds valuable experience to the Foxes front line as the Club continues to strengthen ahead of a third season in the WSL.

 

Speaking to LCFC.com, Lena said: “It feels really great. I’m really excited to be here, to play and give everything for this Club. It’s always been my dream to play in this league - there’s so much quality and now I have this opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.

 

“Scoring goals is my job and I want to bring everything to the team to help them however I can. I’ve played in various different countries – France, the US – and I hope this experience will benefit everyone.”

 

The highly-regarded striker has represented her nation at multiple youth levels before donning the senior shirt for the first time in March 2016 during the Algarve Cup, and has since gone on to become a regular with the DFB-Frauenteam.

 

Born in Cuxhaven, Germany, Lena began her career with Hamburger SV, before spending a season in the United States with UCF Knights, where she was named Conference Rookie of the Year.

 

An experienced operator with over 150 senior appearances, Lena’s career has seen the attacker enjoy spells with SC Freiburg and Turbine Potsdam in the German Bundesliga before she made the move to the south of France in 2019.

 

Lena will now look forward to linking up with Willie Kirk’s side in August as the Foxes prepare to build on the successes of their previous two WSL campaigns.

Janina Leitzig has completed a permanent transfer to King Power Stadium from FC Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee.

 

The highly-rated 24-year-old makes the return to Willie Kirk’s squad following a hugely successful loan spell with the Foxes during the second half of the 2022-23 Barclays Women’s Super League season.

 

Speaking upon her return, Janina said: “It feels really good. I’m really happy to have signed and I’m excited for the upcoming season. I really enjoyed my time here last year – everyone has been so nice, I had a lot of fun and I think the Club has huge potential. I can’t wait to get started again.”

 

In 12 league appearances, the shot-stopper played a vital and commanding role in City’s successful campaign to retain their WSL status – helping her team ensure top-flight football returns to King Power Stadium for a third successive year.

 

Recognition for her outstanding contribution towards league survival came from both supporters and team-mates, as Janina was voted the Players’ and Fans’ Player of the Season following her six-month stint in Leicestershire.

 

Janina – who previously represented Bayern Munich in the UEFA Women’s Champions League – adds valuable quality and experience to a City squad that continues to build towards the 2023/24 WSL season.

 

The former Germany youth international will now look forward to linking back up with her team-mates in July following the summer break in preparation for the new campaign.