Yahoo News Marc Albrighton opens up on future after 'perfect' Leicester City exit
Marc Albrighton has bowed out in the “perfect way” with the winger’s decade-long spell at Leicester City coming to a close with the weekend’s Championship title celebrations.
Albrighton’s contract at the King Power Stadium expires next month and he is “more or less sure” that Saturday’s season-closer against Blackburn was his final 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 wrap up their campaign and lift the trophy, the match was a celebration of Albrighton too. He was given a standing ovation when he warmed up in the first half, he was handed the captain’s armband by Jamie Vardy when he came on as a substitute in the second period, and had his every touch cheered by the 30,000 home fans. Then, Vardy called on Albrighton and Ricardo Pereira to help lift the Championship trophy.
READ MORE: Dennis Praet speaks out on Leicester City future
READ MORE: Vardy plea, Iheanacho exit, EFL slammed - Moments missed at title party
Joining as a free agent from Aston Villa in 2014, Albrighton has lived the City rollercoaster, surviving the Premier League in dramatic circumstances before going onto to win the top flight title, scoring the club’s first Champions League goal and claiming the FA Cup. Finishing with more silverware ends the past 10 years on another high note.
“I’m more or less sure that was the end,” the 34-year-old said. “There is no official confirmation but to bow out in this manner is the perfect way to go out. We achieved the goal we set out to achieve at the start of the season. That was always our goal. To achieve it as a group of lads and people and footballers, we have proved we’re the best in the league this year.
“(The love from the fans) was not something I expected or take for granted. Every time I came on to the pitch the fans took to me and really warmed to me. But I’ve warmed to them as well. It was a special moment to share that with them today.
“Days like today don’t come around often. A lot of players go through their whole careers without winning anything, so to be able to experience this I don’t take it for granted. It’s fantastic to spend time with the families and the players.
“It’s been incredible (the past 10 years). I’m grateful just to play one professional game. To play the number I have and to win the trophies I have has eclipsed my wildest dreams.
“I never believed when I came here that I was taking such a forward step. But I did that. We escaped in the first season and then the rest is history. It’s not all ups, there have been some downs, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster but one I’ve enjoyed. It’s got a happy ending.”
While he's leaving the King Power Stadium, Albrighton does not feel ready to retire. Now he's on the hunt for the right club to spend the final couple of years of his distinguished career, where he can add to his 436 senior appearances.
"I do feel like there are minutes left in my legs, a couple of years maybe," Albrighton added. "But everything has to be right and fit into place. It has to be the right thing for me to do, whatever that is, I’m excited to find out."
