Former Lincoln City loanee Liam Cullen has completed a permanent move to Leicester City, signing a three-year contract with the League One club.
The 27-year-old has left Swansea City for an undisclosed fee, bringing an end to an association with the Welsh club that began when he joined their academy at the age of eight. He becomes Leicester’s fourth arrival of the summer, following Conor Chaplin, Christian McFarlane and Alex McCarthy through the door at the King Power Stadium.
Cullen spent the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan at Lincoln City, arriving at Sincil Bank alongside Swansea teammate Morgan Whittaker. He made 20 League One appearances under Michael Appleton, scoring his only goal for the Imps during a 1-1 draw with Wycombe Wanderers in February 2022.
His spell with City was steady rather than spectacular, coming during a difficult campaign in which the Imps were fighting to remain clear of the relegation places. Cullen was generally used through the middle or just behind the main striker, but returned to Swansea at the end of the season before establishing himself as a regular Championship player.
The Wales international went on to make more than 200 appearances for his boyhood club, developing a reputation for delivering in the South Wales derby, scoring against Cardiff City in three successive seasons.
Cullen made 40 Championship appearances last term and scored five goals, with his final Swansea strike coming in a 2-0 victory against Stoke City in March. The move reunites him with new Leicester boss Russell Martin, who worked with Cullen during his time in charge of Swansea. Martin’s possession-based approach should suit a player who is comfortable dropping into deeper areas and linking attacks, rather than remaining exclusively inside the penalty area.
“I am buzzing to be here and I can’t wait to get started,” Cullen said.
“When this opportunity came about, and with the size of the club and the project they’re getting started with now, I thought it was the perfect fit for me.
“The way we want to play football suits me really well. Keeping the football, playing in the opposition half, creating chances and scoring lots of goals.”
Having interviewed Cullen while he was at Lincoln, this must be a tough move for him. He is a boyhood Swansea City fan, who idolised Lee Trundle. Moving from the club he’s been with for 19 years must be hugely tough, but a move to Leicester does offer him the opportunity to win a trophy this season.
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