Leicester City have bolstered their midfield with the loan acquisition of Wales international Jordan James.
The 21-year-old has secured a year-long agreement from Rennes, returning to England after a single season in France.
James, a dynamic box-to-box midfielder, established himself at Birmingham City, netting eight goals in the Championship two seasons ago as the Blues faced relegation, including a brace against Maresca’s City.
In France, he featured in 25 matches across all competitions for Rennes, scoring once.
It’s expected that James will join the City squad to compete with Oliver Skipp for the number eight role, with Boubakary Soumare and Harry Winks vying for the other midfield position alongside them.
City were lacking depth in those deeper midfield roles following Wilfred Ndidi’s departure to Besiktas earlier this month.
Manager Marti Cifuentes also views Hamza Choudhury as a full-back rather than a defensive midfielder.
James becomes the second addition on City’s deadline day, following the arrival of Argentine forward Julián Carranza on a season-long loan from Feyenoord.
What Jordan James said about joining Leicester City:
James has shared his thoughts on moving to the King Power Stadium for 2025/26.
He stated: “I’m very happy and I can’t wait to get started. When Leicester came calling, it was something I was really open to. This year my aim is to help the Club and help my team-mates get the Club back to where it should be.
“I’ve always thought highly of Leicester, I like the way they play and I think this is a move that really suits me. I just can’t wait to get going and help the team.”
Wrexham missed out on James but secured three midfielders during the summer transfer window.
Lewis O’Brien, George Thomason, and Sheaf have reinforced the Dragons in central midfield, while George Evans has departed.