New Contract Fifteen Academy Players

[Jeff]

Leicester City are delighted to confirm that 15 of its Academy players have signed professional contracts with the Football Club. With a host of talent continuing to come through the ranks at the Club’s famous Academy, a number of its brightest prospects have committed to continuing their development with the Club by putting pen to paper on professional terms with the Foxes. The Club have a proud history of developing young players for the First Team, with Academy graduates Harvey Barnes, Hamza Choudhury, Luke Thomas and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all progressing through the pathway in recent seasons. Kasey McAteer, who made his First Team debut in a 4-0 win over Newcastle the December, has agreed a new deal. The 20-year-old midfielder has been part of the Club’s Academy since the age of eight and also featured in the 4-1 FA Cup win at home to Watford in January.

Midfielder Sammy Braybrooke, 17, has impressed in his role as a deep-lying playmaker at club and international level this season, with those displays earning him the captain’s armband for England Under-18s during a recent international break.

Alongside him in that England Under-18s side was promising young central defender Ben Nelson, whose progress through the Academy ranks has seen him take part in several First Team squads, including last season’s UEFA Europa League visit to Zorya Luhansk in Ukraine. The 17-year-old was also named LCFC’s Academy Player of the Season for 2020/21.

Nineteen-year-old Wanya Marcal-Madivadua has also signed a professional deal on the back of his rapid progress in the Development Squad, which has also seen him feature for Portugal at Under-20 level as well as making his First Team debut as a substitute in the 4-1 FA Cup victory at home to Watford.

Tawanda Maswanhise, meanwhile, was named in Brendan Rodgers’ squad for the first-time last season for the trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United and after the 19-year-old’s involvement with the First Team’s pre-season fixtures this summer, he continues to show promise in his development.

There is also a first professional contract for highly rated defender Ben Grist (pictued above), 17, who joined City’s Academy ranks from Grimsby Town amid interest from a host of other clubs, as well as goalkeeper Brad Young, 19, who has also agreed professional terms following his move from Hartlepool United.

Twenty-one-year-old Lewis Brunt (pictured above), who made his first senior start for the Foxes in the FA Cup win over Watford has also signed a contract, along with fellow defenders Bayli Spencer-Adams 20, Iestyn Hughes, 19, and Ronny Nelson, 18, while there were also new deals for midfield duo of Ethan Fitzhugh, 19 and 17-year-old Zach Booth.

Finally, 17-year-old Welsh striker Chris Popov and fellow countryman Will Russ, 19, have also put pen-to-paper on professional contracts during an incredibly exciting time for the next generation of Foxes stars. All players will now continue their development through the Club’s pathway at Under-18s and Under-23s levels as they strive to join the first team ranks in the future.

 

[pork pie fox]

I don’t know much about any of them, but it sounds encouraging

 

[Micky]

This lot of youngsters seem to be hugely promising. Famous last words but they could be a golden generation.

 

[FOX Franks]

More academy talent. Good thing.

Genuine question though how do you pronounce Iestyn? Not a name I’ve ever come across?

 

[Jeff]

Genuine question though how do you pronounce Iestyn? Not a name I’ve ever come across?

Yestin, I think.

 

[pork pie fox]

More academy talent. Good thing.

Genuine question though how do you pronounce Iestyn? Not a name I’ve ever come across?

A bit like “Yestin”, for those I’ve known.

 

[Brown Nose]

If we do truly believe in this group of youngsters, we need to show it.

That means making space for them to develop into first team players by getting rid of the deadwood in the squad.

We've spent the last couple of years growing the squad, presumably for the extra European games, but it has just left us with mediocre players everywhere.

Ward, Jakupovic, Vestergaard, Amartey, Bertrand, Mendy, Choudhury, Praet and Perez for starters. Then the mob of never-will-be players such as Hirst.

We should aim for 18 senior pros and no more. For example, I'd have had Alves on the bench for every first team game since his debut against Watford.

Either give them an incentive to develop here or watch them deteriorate.

 

[Robin127]

I watched the U23 game yesterday and I thought Braybrooke looked pretty decent.

 

[City Fan]

If we do truly believe in this group of youngsters, we need to show it.

That means making space for them to develop into first team players by getting rid of the deadwood in the squad.

We've spent the last couple of years growing the squad, presumably for the extra European games, but it has just left us with mediocre players everywhere.

Ward, Jakupovic, Vestergaard, Amartey, Bertrand, Mendy, Choudhury, Praet and Perez for starters. Then the mob of never-will-be players such as Hirst.

We should aim for 18 senior pros and no more. For example, I'd have had Alves on the bench for every first team game since his debut against Watford.

Either give them an incentive to develop here or watch them deteriorate.

Agreed. Surely that was the incentive from the PL when they decided to allow a bigger bench.

We have enough utility players to allow a couple of kids on the bench each week.

 

[Graz]

Wow, big day for the academy.

Looking at those photos, how on earth are Braybrooke and Nelson the same age?! One looks 12 and the other looks 25.

 

[big_mac4824]

Brunt should have been given more game time this season IMO.

 

[alex]

Just wait for Will Alves...