Transfers
Sassuolo secure loan deal for Union St. Gilloise defender Fedde Leysen
Belgian defender joins the Serie A side on loan from the Belgian club.
Sassuolo have completed the signing of defender Fedde Leysen from Union St. Gilloise on loan.
The move was confirmed on Wednesday, with Leysen travelling to Italy to undergo his medical and finalise personal terms with the Serie A outfit.
Leysen, who developed through the youth ranks in Belgium, will spend the upcoming season at the Mapei Stadium, adding depth to Sassuolo's defensive options.
The loan agreement includes an option for Sassuolo to make the deal permanent at the end of the season, though no financial details surrounding that clause have been disclosed.
Union St. Gilloise confirmed the departure of the young defender, thanking him for his contributions and wishing him well in his new challenge abroad.
The 22-year-old will wear the number five jersey for Sassuolo, a number previously worn by several notable defenders in the club's recent history.
Leysen is expected to be available for selection in Sassuolo's opening fixtures of the new Serie A campaign, pending international clearance.
His arrival adds to the summer recruitment drive at the Mapei Stadium, where the coaching staff have been active in bolstering the squad ahead of a crucial season.
The loan move represents a significant step up in competition for the Belgian, who will now test himself in one of Europe's top leagues.
Sassuolo's sporting director was present during the medical on Wednesday morning, highlighting the club's intent to integrate Leysen quickly into the first-team setup.
No transfer fee has been announced, with both clubs agreeing to keep the financial terms of the loan confidential.
Leysen is set to be introduced to the squad during training later this week, with the coaching staff keen to assess his adaptation to Italian football.
The defender's agent confirmed earlier in the day that personal terms had been agreed, and that the player was excited about the opportunity to develop his career in Serie A.
This marks another cross-border movement between Italian and Belgian football, reflecting the growing connections between the two leagues in recent years.