BREAKING: Leicester to sign Ron-Robert Zieler pending medical

Leicester City looks to have made its first signing of the summer transfer window as the club will be holding contract talks with Hannover and Germany goalkeeper Ron-Rober Zieler.

Zieler has been granted permission by his club to travel to England for a medical exam and contract talks with the newly-crowned Premier League Champions. The German international signed with Hannover six years ago after failing to break into Manchester United's first team.

Hannover was relegated from the Bundesliga, finishing 18th last season. A mass-exodus of players from the club was expected, and Zieler has expressed his desire to continue playing at the top flight. A move back to the Premier League was always in the cards for Zieler, who exercised his exit clause to engage in negotiations with the Foxes.

German media outlet Kicker is reporting a transfer fee of 3.5 million euros for the keeper, who has received six caps by Germany since 2011. Hannover's website announced the news of Zieler leaving yesterday, wishing him luck and stating he is always welcome back in Hannover.

The deal is expected to be made official over the coming days.

What does this deal mean for Leicester City?

After Kasper Schmeichel put up career numbers in Leicester title-winning campaign, it's shocking to see the Foxes pursuing a goalkeeper as the first summer signing. It's less shocking, however, to see a Hannover player, especially one as skilled as Zieler, departing the relegated club.

Leicester's backup keeper Mark Schwarzer, 43, is under contract set to expire at the end of June. The signing of Zieler signals the end of time in Leicester for Schwarzer and possibly the end of a storied career for the Australian.

As for Schmeichel, it adds an extra level of competition for the Danish international to maintain the starting job next season. The move is eerily similar to Paris Saint-Germain's acquisition of Kevin Trapp last season. Trapp ended up competing with and beating out Italian keeper Salvatore Sirigu for the starting job, helping PSG to yet another Ligue 1 title.

Zieler provides Leicester with two options: added depth and competition at goalkeeper, and a capable backup if Schmeichel were to go down injured or leave the club.

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has voiced his desire to sign a few players this summer that will compete with members of the current squad for a starting job. While the club is looking to preserve the current roster as much as possible, there is also a need to add new faces.

So with Zieler likely to join the squad over the coming days, we welcome the German keeper to Leicester and are eager to see what he has to offer to the club.