Yahoo News Nigel Pearson leads emotional tributes to Andy King after Leicester City icon's retirement
Nigel Pearson, Jamie Vardy, and Wes Morgan are among the Leicester City favourites to have paid tribute to club icon Andy King after he announced his retirement.
King hangs up his boots when Bristol City play their final Championship match of the season on Saturday lunchtime. It ends a 17-year career in the game in which he made 477 senior club appearances and earned 50 caps for Wales.
An adopted son of Leicester, King was taken on by City’s academy as a teenager after he left Chelsea, and became one of their all-time greats, winning League One, the Championship and the Premier League with the club in a run that is unmatched in the modern day. He ranks 12th in the club’s all-time appearances list with 379, and as their highest-scoring midfielder, netting 62 times.
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Writing on social media, 35-year-old King said: “As the season comes to an end, it’s time for me to announce this will be my last match as a professional football player. A day no player wants to face, but ultimately one we all have to deal with at some point. I love the game of football, it’s been my life for as long as I can remember, but for as much sadness I feel that it’s over, it comes nowhere near to the pride, gratitude and fulfilment I feel writing this.”
Reflecting on his 15-year association with City, King wrote: “The club of my heart. The city which gave me everything and shaped my life. Even though I was lucky enough to wear the shirt 380 times, win three separate league titles and represent the club across Europe in the Champions League, it has given me more than football. It has given me a family, it’s given me friends, and most of all it’s made me who I am today.
“To Vichai and Top, thank you for transforming the club into what it is today. Some of the moments I live wearing the fox on my chest still give me goosebumps and were beyond my wildest dreams. To the Leicester fans, I could never tell you how I feel but I know you already know and for me, deep down, that is enough. I am one of you.”
While his City career spanned multiple eras, King was always a popular member of the team, and has been praised in the past in particular for the way he helped new arrivals and youngsters to fit in with the squad. His likeability is shown in the sheer number of messages he received on social media.
Former manager Nigel Pearson, who took charge of King at both Leicester and Bristol City, led the praise. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I think that the most straightforward and appropriate words I can write now are: Andy King, I can categorically say, you are a manager's dream. In his younger days, he was a player with drive, ability and goals. In his pomp, a player with drive, ability, goals and influence.
“In his renaissance years, a player with ability, knowledge, influence, empathy, coaching ability, not so many goals, but a personality that is worth everything to a football club. Anyone who knows anything about the game, knows exactly what a character like Andy King delivers on and off the field.
“Your career, my friend, has been one I admire. Why? Because you are one of the very few who has maximised the gifts you have. Good luck for tomorrow, enjoy your time with your lovely family, and best wishes for your future whatever you decide to do next.”
City chairman Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha, title-winning team-mates Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton, and a host of other former City players all paid their tributes to King. You can read what they said below.
Jamie Vardy: “One of the best. We’ve had some great times on and off the pitch. Enjoy retirement mate.”
Marc Albrighton: “What an incredible career you've had mate. Glad I have the privilege to spend a part of it with you and create the memories we have!”
Wes Morgan: “My right-hand man. Never forget how welcome you made me feel joining Leicester. What a pleasure it was to play with you and share amazing memories! Enjoy retirement.”
Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha: “Proud. Good luck from now and see you sometime soon.”
Danny Simpson: “Congratulations bro. What a career you’ve had and what a top class team-mate you were. Good luck in your next journey bro.”
Harry Maguire: “Great career mate, a pleasure to be a small part of it. What a guy.”
Riyad Mahrez: “Legend. All the best in your new chapter, enjoy your retirement mon gars.”
Kasper Schmeichel: “What a guy! True legend.”
Danny Drinkwater: “Legend. Some memories and great achievements. Should be proud.”
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: “My mate. Enjoy your next chapter, I’m excited for you.”
Harvey Barnes: “Legend, great career mate.”
Esteban Cambiasso: “True legend.”
Vicente Iborra: “All the best for you and yours. Great man and professional.”
Iain Hume: “Some career pal. I know it was many, many moons ago, but it was a pleasure sharing a small portion with you. All the best in whatever the future holds for you.”
David Nugent: “Some career mate. Done yourself and your family proud. Enjoy retirement.”
Ben Nelson: "What a career!"
Kasey McAteer: “Definition of a legend.”
Ben Chilwell: “Legend. Amazing career, amazing guy.”
Jeff Schlupp: “Legend! Congrats on an amazing career my guy.”
Paul Konchesky: “Congratulations on a fantastic career mate! Enjoy retirement and good luck in your next chapter.”
Liam Moore: “Congratulations on an amazing career bro! On top of everything you achieved you created the pathway and helped many others on their journey.”
Martyn Waghorn: “Been an absolute pleasure mate. Wish you all the very best for the future. Congrats mate.”
Neil Danns: “Congratulations on an amazing career Kingy. Unbelievable achievement and a great person along with it.”
Conrad Logan: “Congratulations on a brilliant career mate. Top player and a top guy.”
Ben Hamer: "Done everyone proud! Congrats on an amazing career. See you soon."
Tom Lawrence: “What a player and what a guy, congratulations on an amazing career.”
Islam Slimani: “Legend mate. Top man.”
Bartosz Kapustka: “Top player and great person! Legend.”
