Adrien Silva returns to Portugal as £22m move to Leicester from Sporting Lisbon remains blocked by FIFA

  • Adrien Silva's move from Sporting Lisbon to Leicester agreed on deadline day
  • But the paperwork was submitted 14 seconds after the transfer deadline
  • FIFA continue to block the transfer by not granting international clearance
  • He has now returned to Portugal to be with his pregnant wife 

Adrien Silva has gone back to Portugal as the wrangle over his prospective move from Sporting Lisbon to Leicester drags on.

The midfielder has been unable to play since FIFA rejected international clearance on his £22m deadline day transfer due to paperwork being submitted 14 seconds late.

Silva had been allowed to train with Leicester’s fitness staff but not the rest of his team-mates as the club attempts to convince world football’s given ring body into a re-think.

Leicester thought they had signed Adrke  Silva in a £22m deal from Sporting on Deadline Day

Leicester thought they had signed Adrke  Silva in a £22m deal from Sporting on Deadline Day

Silva, centre, has been unable to play for Leicester or even train with his new team-mates

Silva, centre, has been unable to play for Leicester or even train with his new team-mates

Andy King chills out by a post during Leicester's Monday morning training session

Andy King chills out by a post during Leicester's Monday morning training session

Riyad Mahrez was another player who was linked with a deadline day transfer in August

Riyad Mahrez was another player who was linked with a deadline day transfer in August

But the 28-year-old has now flown back to his homeland to be with his pregnant wife. Craig Shakespeare is hopeful of being able to select Silva soon, but Tuesday's Carabao Cup contest against Liverpool will pass without him.


‘He has gone back to Portugal for the time being,’ said Shakespeare. ‘He is an expecting father so he spent a bit of time with his family at the weekend. Then we will see what the process brings from now on.

‘The conversations I’ve had with him so far are very brief. But of course in the back of his mind the World Cup will be concern. But I think he is more interested in finding the right solution for here and now.’

Manager Craig Shakespeare has now revealed the player has returned to Portugal

Manager Craig Shakespeare has now revealed the player has returned to Portugal

Islam Slimani
Harry Maguire

Islam Slimani and Harry Maguire, pictured during Leicester's training session on Monday