Leicester City have confirmed that defender Jannik Vestergaard’s contract has been terminated with immediate effect.

Vestergaard leaves the Foxes after five years, having reached a mutual agreement to conclude his contract.

Vestergaard’s contract with Leicester was set to expire in 2027, but it was cut short by a year. He played 118 times for the club in all competitions, including 28 Premier League appearances. Last season, he made 32 appearances for the club as they were relegated from the Championship to League One, their second consecutive drop and third relegation in four years.

But his role in the Foxes’ recent woes has come to an abrupt stop, just three weeks before the 2026/27 season begins.

The 33-year-old has yet to report for pre-season training under new boss Russell Martin, and had not participated in any friendlies.

Leicester City announced on Thursday that Jannik Vestergaard’s contract has been terminated through mutual consent.The Denmark international departs after nearly five years at the King Power Stadium, having joined from Southampton in August 2021.

“He made 118 appearances for us in all competitions and was part of the squad that won the Sky Bet Championship title in 2023/24.”We wish Jannik the best of luck in his future professional endeavour.”

Business is picking up.

Vestergaard will now have three weeks to find a new club before the new EFL season begins in early August.

And Leicester may need to hunt for a new centre-back before their first encounter under Martin on August 8.

The Foxes face Northampton Town in the Carabao Cup.

Their first League One encounter will be on August 15, when they face Midlands rivals Notts County.

Martin has already expanded his squad, announcing their arrivals on the same days that Vestergaard left.

After departing the Tractor Boys at the end of his contract, former Ipswich star Conor Chaplin signed for free on a three-year agreement.

Meanwhile, former Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has joined on a free transfer to improve their shot-stopping capabilities.

Striker Danny Ings is also likely to join the team soon.

In terms of departures, Harry Winks left on Wednesday to join Italian club Cagliari, bringing his three-year contract to an end.

Teenage star Jeremy Monga has also joined Manchester City in a record-breaking £12.5 million deal.

Victor Kristiansen and Silko Thomas have also left.