Marc Albrighton’s spectacular 10-year trophy-laden Leicester City career has finally come to an end, as he lifts the Sky Bet Championship trophy. He leaves as a Premier League champion, Emirates FA Cup winner, scorer of City’s first UEFA Championship League goal, and now Sky Bet Championship titleholder. After making the final of his 313 appearances for the club on May 4th, when City raised the title, the 34-year-old leaves King Power Stadium in 29th place on Leicester’s all-time appearances chart.
‘Sharky’, as he is popularly called in the changing room, played every single game for Leicester throughout the 2015/16 season, as Ranieri’s side beat incredible odds to win the Premier League, eventually finishing 10 points ahead at the top. Albrighton was not only a superb ball crosser, but his work ethic quickly impressed the Blue Army. Throughout his decade in the East Midlands, the Tamworth-born winger has been one of the squad’s most beloved and respected members. As events changed and the club’s goals expanded, manager after manager recognized Albrighton’s value and made him a vital player in their plans for Leicester.
Following that spectacular Premier League title triumph, the No.11 scored the Club’s first Champions League goal in a jubilant 3-0 victory over Club Brugge in Belgium. His strike in the last-16, on the other hand, helped Craig Shakespeare’s team defeat Sevilla and advance to the quarter-finals of European football’s elite club knockout competition in 2017.
Albrighton, who remains an essential member of Brendan Rodgers’ squad four years later, was called into action early in the 2021 Emirates FA Cup Final to replace the injured Jonny Evans. His experience and leadership, combined with Youri Tielemans’ screamer, helped City win their first FA Cup. Three months later, he returned to the hallowed field to help Leicester win the FA Community Shield for the second time in club history.
Despite being in the latter stages of his career this past season, Enzo Maresca became the latest manager to recognize Albrighton’s value to the club. The winger, a member of City’s’senior leadership group’, has been a pillar of strength and authority at Seagrave, motivating his teammates to return to the Premier League.
It was a fitting finale to a fantastic Leicester City career, as Marc left Filbert Way with one final piece of silverware: the Championship and a return to the Premier League. Everyone at LCFC wishes him the best of luck with his next endeavor. Thanks, Marc. For everything.l
