Wout Faes has departed Leicester City, joining Dubai-based UAE Pro League club Shabab Al Ahli after four years at the King Power Stadium. The 28-year-old Belgium international becomes the latest high earner to leave as Leicester navigate the financial realities of life in League One.

A departure long in the making

Faes had been out of favour at Leicester since the start of the current season. His only appearance came in the third tier's draw at Barnsley in September, just before the international break. That single outing, in over a month of League One football, underlined how peripheral he had become to the club's plans.

A move to West Ham appeared close on transfer deadline day in September, but that deal collapsed at the last moment. With the English and European windows shut, Leicester continued to seek an exit route. The UAE Pro League's later closing deadline provided the opportunity, and Shabab Al Ahli moved to take Faes off Leicester's books.

Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed by either club.

Part of a wider clear-out

Faes's exit is the latest in a sustained effort by Leicester to reduce a wage bill built for the top flight. The defender made more than 130 appearances for the club across four seasons and was involved in three successive relegations, including the back-to-back drops from the Premier League and the Championship that left the Foxes in the third tier.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Monaco, but the Ligue 1 side opted against making that move permanent. That brought him back into a Leicester squad that had already been significantly trimmed over the summer.

Jannik Vestergaard had his contract terminated by mutual consent in July. Abdul Fatawu joined Ipswich Town, Hamza Choudhury moved to Sheffield United, and Harry Winks was sold to Italian side Cagliari. Victor Kristiansen went on loan to Greek club Panathinaikos, while Stephy Mavididi and Oliver Skipp departed on temporary deals to Watford and Charlton respectively. Earlier exits included Jordan Ayew, Patson Daka and captain Ricardo Pereira, all of whom were released at the end of their contracts.

What it means for Leicester in League One

Each departure chips away at a squad-cost structure that was never built with the third tier in mind. Clearing Faes, a player capped 28 times for Belgium since 2021, gives the club breathing room as it tries to balance the books while remaining competitive in League One.

Leicester have made other adjustments to their squad this season too, signing goalkeeper Carl Cornell as cover after an injury to their first-choice stopper. The club sits in an unusual position: packed with players recruited for a higher level, yet competing week-to-week in the third tier and trying to reshape an identity fit for their current surroundings.

The Faes deal closes a chapter. Whether it opens financial space for further investment before the season reaches a critical point remains to be seen, but stripping out the costs of a player who was not going to feature regularly is a logical step for a club determined to move forward.

Faes himself moves to the Gulf in search of regular football. He departs with a significant appearance record at Leicester, even if the end of his time there was defined by stagnation rather than contribution.

Frequently asked

Why did Wout Faes leave Leicester City?
Faes had fallen out of favour at Leicester and was not getting regular game time. The club was also looking to reduce its wage bill after back-to-back relegations left them in League One.
Which club has Wout Faes joined?
Faes has joined Shabab Al Ahli, a club based in Dubai who compete in the UAE Pro League.
How much did Leicester receive for Wout Faes?
Financial details of the transfer have not been disclosed by either Leicester City or Shabab Al Ahli.