Marc Albrighton opens up on future after ‘perfect’ Leicester City exit

Marc Albrighton called it quits in “the perfect way” with the winger’s decade-long spell at Leicester City ending with a Championship title celebration at the weekend.

Albrighton’s contract at the King Power Stadium expires next month and it is “more or less certain” that Saturday’s game against Blackburn was his last outing for the club. A total of 313 City appearances puts him 29th on the club’s all-time list.

While City were there to end their campaign and lift the trophy, the match was also a celebration of Albrighton. She received a standing ovation when she warmed up in the first half, was handed the captain’s armband by Jamie Vardy when she came on as a second half substitute and was cheered by the 30,000 home fans. Vardy then called on Albrighton and Ricardo Pereira to help lift the championship trophy.

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Joining as a free agent from Aston Villa in 2014, Albrighton experienced a City rollercoaster, surviving the Premier League in dramatic circumstances before winning the top flight, scoring the club’s first Champions League goal and claiming the FA Cup. Finishing with more silverware ends the last 10 years on another high note.

“I’m more or less sure that was the end of it,” the 34-year-old said. “There’s no official confirmation, but bowing out like this is the perfect way to go out. We achieved the goal we set out to achieve at the beginning of the season. This has always been our goal. To achieve that as a group of guys and people and football players, we proved we are the best in the league this year.

“(Fan love) was not something I expected or took for granted. Every time I went on the pitch, the fans really picked me up and warmed me up. But I also warmed to them. It was a special moment to share this with them today.

“Days like today don’t come often. A lot of players go through their entire careers without winning anything, so to be able to experience that I don’t take it for granted. It’s fantastic to spend time with the families and the players.

“It’s been incredible (the last 10 years). I’m only grateful to play one professional game. To play the number I have and win the trophies I have eclipsed my wildest dreams.

“I never thought when I came here that I would take such a step forward. But I did it. I escaped in the first season and then the rest is history. It’s not all ups, there’s been some downs, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, but I’ve enjoyed it. It has a happy ending.”

As he leaves the King Power Stadium, Albrighton doesn’t feel ready to retire. He is now looking for the right club to spend the final two years of his distinguished career where he can add to his 436 senior appearances.

“I feel like I have a few minutes left on my feet, maybe a few years,” Albrighton added. “But everything has to be right and fit into place. It has to be what I have to do for me, whatever that is, I’m excited to find out.”

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