South African midfielder Khanya Leshabela has joined Sky Bet League 2 side Crewe Alexandra on a short-term loan deal from Premier League outfit Leicester City.

The 22-year-old has penned a six-month deal with Neil Critchley’s side and will remain at the club until the end of January.

The Bafana Bafana midfielder has since become Crewe’s seventh signing of the summer behind Courtney Baker-Richardson, Charlie Colkett, Conor Thomas, Kelvin Mellor, Rod McDonald and Lachlan Brook, respectively.

Leshabela, who came through the ranks of the Foxes Academy, spent part of last season on loan with Shrewsbury Town, where he made nine appearances in all competitions.

However, Leshabela made his first-team bow for the Foxes senior team, with an appearance off the bench in his Premier League debut in a 5-0 victory over Sheffield United at King Power Stadium in March 2021.

The South African will now have the opportunity to make his debut when he links up with his new teammates ahead of their opening League 2 clash with Rochdale on Saturday afternoon.

“Leicester City man Khanya Leshabela has joined Crewe Alexandra on loan,” a statement from Crewe Alexandra read.

“The 22-year-old South African has penned a six-month deal and will go straight into the reckoning to feature in Saturday’s 2022-23 opener at Rochdale.

“The midfielder, who has become Crewe’s seventh signing of the summer, was born near Pretoria but moved to Northampton with his family at the age of two.

“He signed for the Foxes in 2013 and made his Premier League debut last year as a late substitute in a 5-0 win over Sheffield United.

“The South African U20 international spent January on loan at Shrewsbury Town in League One.

“Now Khanya, who describes himself as a ‘box-to-box’ midfielder, will be wearing the red of The Railwaymen.

“Everyone at the club would like to welcome Khanya to the club and wish him all the best for the coming season.”