Leicester City Sign Goalkeeper Dai Cornell on One-Year Deal

Leicester City have moved to plug their goalkeeping gap by signing experienced stopper Dai Cornell on a one-year deal.

The 35-year-old Welshman arrives as a free agent after turning down a new contract at Championship side Preston North End in the summer. He now steps into League One with the Foxes, who are pushing for an immediate return to the Championship.

The need was clear. Jakub Stolarczyk’s season-ending knee injury in early September left Russell Martin short of depth behind first-choice keeper Alex McCarthy. Leicester have acted, and Cornell becomes the latest addition to a squad built to bounce back at the first attempt.

Manager's Comments

Martin made it clear this signing is about more than just another pair of hands.

“He understands the role he is going to fulfil here, but he also backs himself to show what a good goalkeeper he is,” the Leicester boss told BBC Radio Leicester. “But first and foremost, he is a brilliant character and really adds to the character, voice and experience in this squad.”

Cornell, who has represented Wales at youth level, has quietly put together a long, hard-earned career. Leicester are the 11th club he has signed for since starting out at Swansea City. His journey has taken in spells with Ipswich Town and Preston in the Championship, as well as St Mirren in Scotland and English clubs Portsmouth, Oldham, Northampton and Peterborough.

Now he joins a Leicester goalkeeping group led so far this season by former Southampton keeper and one-cap England international Alex McCarthy. Argentine Franco Ravizzoli, brought in from Blackpool in the summer, has been on the bench since Stolarczyk’s injury.

Cornell has made it clear he is ready to slot in wherever needed and “help in any way” he can. With Leicester chasing promotion and the margins tightening as the season wears on, that blend of experience, voice and readiness might prove as important as any save he makes.