Dennis Wise today completed his £1.6m move to Leicester City, signing a three-year deal with the Filbert Street club. Wise had been at Chelsea for 11 years, making over 400 appearances in the blue jersey and winning 21 England caps but the 34-year-old has finally decided the time is right to move on especially as he was played out of position several times last season.
Wise agreed personal terms with Leicester chairman John Elsom last week and the player was officially unveiled before the press at a news conference today. Elstrom is delighted to have Wise on board with the Foxes. "Denis was a real crowd-pleaser at Chelsea and we hope he will be one at Filbert Street. I am sure he will help to motivate the rest of the team with his strong presence on the field," he said.
Wise himself said it wasn't a difficult decision to move on. "I had made my mind up that I was going to leave at the end of the season. I'm glad to be here. It is good that this club wanted to sign me. There were a lot of factors in my decision to leave. I had 11 years at Chelsea, enjoyable years, but I did not want to be a bit-part player, sitting on the bench. I felt under Claudio Ranieri I would not be playing in my best position and did not want to spoil my relationship with Chelsea."
"I have parted on very good terms. I have many good memories, I won a lot of things and enjoyed it. Now it is time to move on and I am looking forward to some good years here," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
