Caleb Okoli joined Leicester City from Atalanta in the summer transfer window and made his first start of the season against Aston Villa.
The centre-back has also been called up to Luciano Spalletti’s Italian national side and he seems in line to make his Azzurri debut soon, as Italy take on France later this week.
The 23-year-old has now spoken about how the move to Leicester came about, revealing that it was a ‘dream’ for him to play in England.
On reaching the Azzurri camp, Okoli told Corriere dello Sport: “I am living a dream. I had also received calls from Serie A, but I always hoped to go and play in England and when the opportunity from Leicester arose I seized it, I was very happy. I think the Premier League can give me a lot.”
The ex-La Dea man’s call up to the Italy squad was unexpected for some but perhaps him playing in the glitter of the Premier League helped in that.
Okoli also went on to state that Spalletti had actually spoken to him last year during his time at Frosinone and that motivated him to keep doing better.
“Last year the coach came to follow some Frosinone training sessions and spoke to me, encouraging me to improve my football. I have never forgotten his words. I hope and think he has seen progress if I am here. Now I have to continue, consolidate myself and I think 100% about the Azzurri.”
He also went on to thank Atalanta for giving him the launch pad to succeed, also expressing gratitude for how Frosinone helped him grow in his loan spell last season.
“I owe a lot to La Dea. I arrived in the Nerazzurri youth team at 14. I also told [Marco] Brescianini, he made an excellent choice by going to Bergamo. We were together in Frosinone. The club and Di Francesco gave us an extra push to grow.”
Leicester City paid a fee of around £12.6m for Okoli and that valuation may only grow, considering his age and the fact that he will now play for Italy. Things are looking up for the player.
