All you need to know about Franculino Gluda Dju – the striker Leicester City want to be their long-term number nine

Add as preferred source on Google

Although Leicester City fans don’t want to think about it, the day when Jamie Vardy hangs up his boots isn’t going to be far away.

At the age of 38, Vardy has done it all and will forever be known as a Leicester legend. Some may even argue he’s the club’s greatest player of all time.

The Foxes have tried to bring in players that could be considered replacements for Vardy. Patson Daka is likely to be sold this summer after failing to live up to the hype from when he joined from Red Bull Salzburg.

Jake Evans is considered the heir to Vardy’s throne but as a 16-year-old, he still has time on his side.

With that, Leicester are looking for a striker and the Foxes have been linked with Franculino Gluda Dju.

Dubbed as one of the most exciting players for the future and the highest-scoring teenager in the 2023/24 season, Dju is destined for big things.

But who is Franculino Gluda Dju? Leicester City News has all you need to know.

• READ MORE: Seven Leicester City players who are likely to leave in the summer, including joint-second top goal scorer

Who is Franculino Gluda Dju?

Franculino Gluda Dju is a professional footballer playing for Danish Superliga side FC Midtjylland and the Guinea-Bissau national team.

He began his career as a youth player at Benfica, joining in 2019, before making the move to Denmark in 2023.

Franculino Gluda Dju age/birthplace

Gluda Dju was born in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau on 28 June 2004.

Franculino Gluda Dju height

Dju stands at approximately 1.82m high, or exactly six foot tall.

• READ MORE: Three Leicester City academy stars you haven’t heard of to look out for, one averages a goal every 136 minutes

What position does Franculino Gluda Dju play?

Gluda Dju operates as a central striker and plays down the middle. He is comfortable operating as a lone striker or with a partner, which bodes well for Leicester, who play with one man up top.

If needed, he can also play on the wings, both left and right.

Franculino Gluda Dju’s style of play

Dju is blessed with a brilliant burst of acceleration that is enough to get away from defenders, but can also do the dirty work by holding the ball up and provide flick-ons for fellow attackers.

His high effort work rate means he is efficient in the press and would suit Ruud van Nistelrooy’s style of play.

Where the youngster can improve is his composure in front of goal. Despite his impressive record for such a young age, he would easily be able to add more when facing the goalkeeper.

Franculino Gluda Dju stats

Franculino Gluda Dju’s salary

According to Salary Sport, Franculino Gluda Dju earns a salary of £7,300-a-week.

This is slightly less than Dario Osorio, the £10m star linked with Leicester in February 2025.