Joe Aribo “Buzzing” After Completing Season-Long Loan Move to Leicester City

Nigeria midfielder Joe Aribo has expressed huge excitement after completing a season-long loan move to Leicester City, describing the switch as the perfect opportunity to reignite his career in the English Championship.

The 29-year-old joined the Foxes from fellow Championship side Southampton and is eager to make an immediate impact at the King Power Stadium.

“I’m buzzing. For me, it’s amazing to have got it done and I just can’t wait to get going,” Aribo said shortly after sealing the move.

Aribo was clearly impressed by his new surroundings, hailing Leicester City’s facilities as world-class and reflective of a top-level club.

“Honestly, the facilities are unbelievable. It almost takes your breath away. It’s a great club and I can’t wait to get started,” he added.

The former Rangers midfielder admitted the transfer came at the right time following a challenging spell at Southampton, where limited playing opportunities stalled his momentum. According to Aribo, the desire for a fresh environment and regular football played a major role in his decision.

“I just wanted a change of scenery, to get back playing and be at my best again. It’s been a difficult season with not much playing time,” he explained.

Determined to rediscover his rhythm and confidence, Aribo believes Leicester City offers the ideal platform to get his career back on track.

“I’m excited to have the chance to be back out there firing again. It’s important that I can be my best self every single day and show what I can do,” he said.

Known for his adaptability and technical ability, Aribo highlighted his versatility as one of his key strengths, stressing his readiness to contribute in multiple roles across midfield.

“I’m exciting on the ball, willing to take risks, and I’ll try to chip in with a few goals,” he noted. “I’m pretty much a central midfielder or a No.10, but I can play anywhere. Managers change things during games, and I can adapt—it’s not a problem for me.”

With renewed hunger and motivation, Aribo will be hoping his loan spell at Leicester City marks a turning point, as he targets consistent minutes and influential performances for the remainder of the season.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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