Leicester City have strengthened their midfield stocks with the arrival of Will Smallbone on a free transfer.The Ireland international joins the Foxes on a three-year deal following his departure from Southampton earlier this summer.Leicester marks the fourth different club Smallbone has representedGettySmallbone’s switch to Leicester also reunites him with Russell Martin, who was his manager for 54 games when both were at the Saints.Will Smallbone’s first words as a Leicester player“I’m really looking forward to [getting started],” Smallbone said.“I’m hungry and looking forward to being at Leicester City.“I have spent a long time playing under the manager previously, I know a few of the boys here and I’ve played against a few of them in my time so I think that should help me to settle in quite quickly.”Will Smallbone’s career at a glanceSmallbone’s departure from Southampton brought an end to his 18-year association with the club having joined aged eight.He made 90 appearances for the Saints across the Championship and Premier League, registering 15 goal contributions.While at Southampton, Smallbone enjoyed loan spells at Stoke City and Millwall.Smallbone also boasts 15 caps for the Republic of Ireland, although he has not made an international appearance since last October.He now drops into League One for the first time in his career with Leicester.Smallbone is eligible to make his Leicester debut as soon as October 6 against Stevenage in the EFL Trophy.Martin and Smallbone played their part in the Saints winning the Championship play-off final in 2024GettyHow has Leicester City performed this season?The Foxes have had a difficult start to life in the third tier, accruing just nine points from their opening seven league fixtures.Leicester’s early season struggles prompted fans to turn on Martin, who took over as manager in the summer.Adding to Leicester’s on-field woes is uncertainty at ownership level.Foxes owner Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha is understood to be seeking over £200million for the club.One party interested in purchasing Leicester is the Bharat Consortium Group, fronted by Scottish-Indian businessman Neil Lal.However, Lal warned that there are serious financial hurdles to be cleared if his consortium are to complete a takeover.