2025–26 Leicester City F.C. season

The 2025–26 season is the 121st season in the existence of Leicester City Football Club, and their 64th (non-consecutive) season in the second tier of English football. This season marked the club's return to the Championship following relegation from the Premier League in the previous season. In addition to the domestic league, they will also compete in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. This season covers the latter period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.

This is the first season since 2011–12 not to feature the club's third-highest goal scorer Jamie Vardy. He left the club after his contract expired, having scored 200 goals in 500 games for the Foxes during his 13 seasons at the club. Vardy's departure also meant Leicester City no longer had a player from the 2015–16 title-winning squad at the club.

The 2024–25 campaign was a disastrous season for Leicester City, as they had been relegated from the Premier League, following a 0–1 home loss to Liverpool on 20 April 2025.^[1]

They scored only 33 league goals all season, and conceded 80 goals, which is the highest number of goals they have conceded in a Premier League season in their history. They finished with a goal difference of −47, the worst in their history. Leicester failed to keep an away clean sheet, which was the worst away clean sheet record that season. They only kept three clean sheets at home in the Premier League, and went on a torrid spell of nine home games in a row without scoring, losing all of them. This run ended on 3 May 2025 with a 2–0 home win over Southampton.^[2][1][3] They also became the third team after Norwich City in 2020 and West Bromwich Albion in 2021 to suffer relegation at least five times.^[4]

Leicester won six Premier League games in the 2024–25 season, drew seven, and lost 25. This was statistically their worst 38 game Premier League season on record, with 2001–02 being better with 28 points amassed, compared to only 25 in 2024–25.^[5]

Prior to the season starting, Ruud van Nistelrooy mutually agreed with the club to step down as manager on 27 June 2025.^[6] His replacement, Martí Cifuentes, was announced as manager on 15 July 2025, signing a three-year contract with the club.^[7]

Leicester played their first pre-season friendly against Peterborough United on 5 July 2025 on their training ground, which was won 3–1 by The Foxes after Louis Page scored in the 63rd minute, before Chris Conn-Clarke equalised for the visitors in the 74th minute, after which Page grabbed his brace in the 78th minute and Silko Thomas made it 3–1 to The Foxes, marking their first pre-season win.^[8]

On 12 July 2025, Leicester hosted another friendly at their training ground, this time against their sister club Oud-Heverlee Leuven, also owned by King Power. The game was played in four halves of 45 minutes, and Leicester won the game 2–1, after OHL defender Takahiro Akimoto scored an own goal to give Leicester the lead, before Jovan Mijatović equalised for the visitors. Then, Jordan Ayew scored a 119th-minute winner to win the game 2–1.^[9]

Then, The Foxes travelled to Austria for their pre-season tour and had three games scheduled against Zalaegerszeg, Karpaty Lviv and Köln.^[10]

The first of these games was played on 19 July 2025 against Zalaegerszeg, which Leicester won 1–0 thanks to a Jordan Ayew goal in the 70th minute. On 25 July, the squad was split into half to play two games on the same day, against Karpaty Lviv and Köln. The Foxes won against Karpaty Lviv 1–2 thanks to a Patson Daka brace after falling behind due to a Yaroslav Karabin goal in the 48th minute. Then, Leicester took on Köln in their final game of their pre-season tour, which they lost 1–3, courtesy to goals from Sebastian Sebulonsen, Luca Waldschmidt and Florian Kainz. Kasey McAteer scored the only Leicester goal in the 43rd minute. ^[11][12][13]

Leicester then finished off their pre-season with a home game against Fiorentina on 3 August 2025. Leicester won the game 2–0 thanks to first half goals from Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu.^[14]

On 9 August 2025, the squad numbers for the First Team were announced ahead of Leicester's opening Championship clash against Sheffield Wednesday.^[15]

The EFL Championship transfer window opened on 16 June 2025 and closed on 1 September 2025 at 19:00 BST.^[16]

On 27 May 2025, Leicester announced that 12 players were to be released, three of which were first team players, one of which was former club captain Jamie Vardy.^[17][18] This is the first season since 2011–12 to not feature him. He had made exactly 500 appearances and had scored 200 goals at the time of his departure.^[19] Vardy's departure also meant Leicester City no longer had a player from the 2015–16 title-winning squad at the club.

On 29 July 2025, the club announced the free transfer of ex-Everton and QPR goalkeeper Asmir Begović on a one-year contract.^[20]

On 1 August 2025, the club announced that defender Conor Coady had joined Championship rivals Wrexham on a permanent two-year contract, with the option to extend for another year, for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £2,000,000.^[21]

A week later, on 8 August 2025, the club announced that midfielder Wilfred Ndidi had joined Süper Lig side Beşiktaş on a permanent three-year contract, for a fee of £8,000,000.^[22]

A day later, on 9 August 2025, the club announced that goalkeeper Mads Hermansen had joined Premier League side West Ham United on a permanent five-year contract, with the option to extend for another year, for a fee of £20,000,000.^[23]

On 22 August 2025, the club announced that winger Kasey McAteer had joined Championship rivals Ipswich Town on a permanent four-year contract, for an undisclosed fee reported to be £12,000,000.^[24]

Three days later, on 25 August 2025, the club announced that defender James Justin had joined Premier League side Leeds United on a permanent four-year contract, for an initial fee of £8,000,000, with Leeds United paying £2,000,000 in add-ons.^[25]

On 1 September 2025 (deadline day), the club announced that midfielder Will Alves had joined EFL League One side Huddersfield Town on a one-year loan deal, for an undisclosed fee.^[26] Later the same day, the club announced the loan departures and loan signings of Bilal El Khannouss to VfB Stuttgart, Woyo Coulibaly to US Sassuolo Calcio, and Julián Carranza, Jordan James and Aaron Ramsey to Leicester City respectively. All loan deals (departures and arrivals) are season long loans. All loan fees are undisclosed.^{[27][28][29][30][31]}

On 6 September 2025, the club announced that ex-Real Betis goalkeeper Fran Vieites had joined on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.^[32]

Cifuentes' side kicked off their Championship campaign with a 2–1 home win over Sheffield Wednesday on 10 August 2025. Wednesday scored first, through a first half goal from Nathaniel Chalobah. However, Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes both scored crucial goals in the second half to earn Leicester a 2–1 win.^[33]

On 13 August, Leicester kicked off their EFL Cup campaign with an away game against EFL League One side Huddersfield Town as their first-round tie.^[34] Leicester drew the game 2–2 in normal regulation time, however lost 3–2 on penalties to Huddersfield, after Jordan Ayew, Bilal El Khannouss and Kasey McAteer missed their penalties.^[35]

Then, on 16 August, Leicester played their second away game of the season against Preston North End, where they had won 3–0 on 29 April 2024 to clinch the 2023–24 EFL Championship title.^[36] They lost the game 2–1, after Tottenham Hotspur loanee Alfie Devine scored in the 7th minute to make it 1–0 to the hosts. Then, in the second half, Jeremy Monga scored an equaliser and become the Championship's youngest goalscorer at 16 years and 37 days of age. However, the hosts found a late winner through Milutin Osmajić and won the game 2–1.^[37]

The following Saturday, on 23 August, Leicester played their third consecutive and third away game of the season against Charlton Athletic. They won the game 1–0 courtesy of an Abdul Fatawu goal.^[38]

On 29 August, Leicester returned to the King Power Stadium and welcomed Birmingham City for another Championship clash. Leicester won the game 2–0, thanks to an early first half Abdul Fatawu goal in the 8th minute, after which in the second half, substitute Ricardo Pereira scored the 2nd goal in the 88th minute, which was provided by Jeremy Monga, to win the game 2–0.^[39]

Leicester had played five games in August, winning three (against Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City), drawing one (against Huddersfield Town in the EFL Cup but was subsequently knocked out in a penalty shootout), and losing one (against Preston North End).

By the end of August, Leicester had played four Championship games, won three, lost one, had nine points, and were 4th in the Championship table, one point off 2nd place, occupied by West Bromwich Albion at the time.^[40]

Following the end of the first international break of the season, Leicester began September travelling away to Oxford United on 13 September for their first Championship game of September.

Oxford took the lead early on through Tottenham Hotspur loanee Will Lankshear in the 9th minute to make it 1–0 to the hosts. Jordan Ayew then proceeded to score just four minutes later in the 13th minute, to level the score at 1–1, and also grabbed his first Championship goal of the season. Then, Burnley loanee Aaron Ramsey got sent off just 24 minutes into his debut, and Leicester were down to 10 men. Oxford capitalised on this and led 2–1 at half-time through a Boubakary Soumaré own goal in the 44th minute. Then, in the second half, substitute Ricardo Pereira scored to level it at 2–2, which was the final score.^[41]

Leicester then returned to the King Power for another Championship clash, for an M69 derby against Coventry City on 20 September. Leicester were held to a 0–0 draw by Coventry, with Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Carl Rushworth denying Leicester several times, resulting in both teams settling for a point.^[42]

Leicester then travelled away to The Hawthorns for a Friday Night Championship clash against West Bromwich Albion on 26 September. Leicester went down early in the first half as Aston Villa loanee Samuel Iling-Junior scored on his debut to make it 1–0 to West Brom. Then, after an uneventful game, Bobby De Cordova-Reid struck at goal in the 93rd minute, and scored a deflection off of Nat Phillips. The goal was credited as an own goal by the latter, and the game ended 1–1.^[43]

To end September, Leicester welcomed Wrexham to the King Power on Tuesday night for a Championship clash on 30 September. Leicester took the lead in the first half, with Stade Rennais loanee Jordan James scoring the goal to put Leicester 1–0 up by half time. However, in a flip of the scripts against West Brom, Wrexham equalised late in the 77th minute as Nathan Broadhead scored for Wrexham to level the game at 1–1 at full time.^[44]

Leicester had played four games in September, drawing all four against Oxford United, Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion and Wrexham.

By the end of September, Leicester had played eight Championship games, won three, drawn four and lost one, had 13 points and were 6th in the Championship table, five points behind then-league leaders Middlesbrough.^[40]

Leicester began October by travelling away to Swansea City on 4 October for their first Championship clash of the month.

Leicester took the lead early on through loanee Jordan James scoring the goal to put Leicester 1–0 up in the 13th minute, and at half-time. Then, in the 70th minute, Wout Faes made a rough challenge on Swansea substitute Ethan Galbraith and conceded a penalty, which was converted from the spot by Adam Idah to level it at 1–1. This was, however, cancelled out by Abdul Fatawu scoring a left-footed curler from outside the box to put Leicester 2–1 up in the 77th minute. Then, Jannik Vestergaard sealed the win with a goal in the 85th minute to put Leicester 3–1 up, and subsequently marked Leicester's first Championship win since 29 August.^[45][38][39]

Leicester returned to the King Power for a Championship clash against Portsmouth on 18 October 2025, following the completion of the October international break. Leicester took the lead in the first half, when Burnley loanee Aaron Ramsey scored in the 26th minute to put Leicester 1–0 up at half-time. Similarly to the game against Wrexham, in the second half, Portsmouth equalised through a John Swift equaliser in the 58th minute.^[46]

Leicester then travelled away to Hull City on 21 October for a midweek Championship clash. Hull City opened the scoring through Liam Millar in the 6th minute, before the lead was doubled in the 31st minute by Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt to send Leicester 2–0 down at half-time. In the second half, Aaron Ramsey scored a top corner shot in the 67th minute to half the deficit and make the scoreline 2–1, which was the full time score, and Leicester were consigned to a second defeat of the Championship season.^[47]

Leicester then travelled away yet again, this time to Millwall, on 25 October, for their final Championship match of the month. Leicester lost the game by a narrow 1–0 scoreline, with Femi Azeez scoring for Millwall.^[48]

Leicester had played four games in October, winning one against Swansea, drawing one against Portsmouth, and losing two against Hull City and Millwall.

By the end of October, Leicester had played 12 Championship games, won four, drawn five and lost three, had 17 points and were 10th in the Championship table, two points off 6th placed Charlton Athletic.^[49]

Leicester then travelled away to St Mary's for a midweek Championship clash on 25 November, against Southampton. Leicester went 1–0 down in the 18th minute after Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored for Southampton. Then, Southampton doubled their lead with a Finn Azaz goal in the 23rd minute to make it 2–0 to the hosts. To compound Leicester's woes, youngster Olabade Aluko was sent off in the 33rd minute and Leicester were down to 10 men. Then, Southampton made it 3–0 after Taylor Harwood-Bellis netted a brace, and the score was 3–0 at half-time to Southampton, which was the full-time score.^[50]

Leicester then returned to the King Power and welcomed Sheffield United for a Championship clash on 29 November. Leicester went 1–0 down early as Tom Cannon scored in the 2nd minute against his former team. Then, Sheffield United quickly doubled their lead through a Jaïro Riedewald goal. Then, Leicester went 3–0 down in the 32nd minute as Sydie Peck scored another for Sheffield United, and this was the score at half-time. Boos rang around the King Power Stadium, and manager Cifuentes was met with "you're getting sacked in the morning chants" by both sets of fans. Despite this, Stephy Mavididi pulled one back for the Foxes and the score was 3–1 after 53 minutes. Then, late on in the second half, Rennes loanee Jordan James scored a stunner in the 83rd minute to bring back belief for the Foxes, and the score was 3–2 after 83 minutes. However, Sheffield United ran out 3–2 winners at full time.^[51]

Leicester had played six games in November, winning two against Norwich and Stoke, drawing once against Middlesbrough and losing three against Blackburn, Southampton and Sheffield United.

By the end of November, Leicester had played 18 Championship games, won six, drawn six and lost six, had 24 points and were 16th in the Championship table, five points off then-6th placed Bristol City.^[52]

Leicester kicked off their busy December with an away trip to Pride Park, facing local rivals Derby County on 6 December. Reports emerged that manager Marti Cifuentes would be sacked if a favourable result was not achieved here; the pressure was incredibly high to get a good result.^[53] Despite that, Leicester started off excellently by scoring in the 8th minute through Bobby De Cordova-Reid to give Leicester a 1–0 lead. Then, just seven minutes later, Oliver Skipp scored from a corner to make it 2–0 to Leicester in just 15 minutes. Then, Jordan Ayew nodded home what would be a third goal, but was ruled offside. However, Leicester did get a third just before half-time, through Rennes loanee Jordan James, who headed home from a pinpoint Luke Thomas cross, and Leicester were 3–0 up at half time. The second half was relatively quiet, with Derby grabbing a consolation in the 63rd minute through Sondre Langås. Leicester picked up a crucial three points and started off December excellently.^[54]

Leicester then travelled away to Bristol City for a midweek Championship clash at Ashton Gate on 10 December 2025. Leicester started excellently like against Derby, scoring first from a Jordan Ayew penalty (after Scott Twine fouled Stephy Mavididi in the box moments before) to give Leicester a 1–0 lead. Leicester were in full control before half time as Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored in back-to-back games to make it 2–0 at half-time. However, the Foxes' lead destabilised as Mark Sykes cut their lead in half a minute into the second half. After being utterly dominated by the hosts for the rest of the half, Bristol City found an equaliser through an Emil Riis Jakobsen header in the 83rd minute, and it was now 2–2. This was the full-time score.^[55]

Leicester then returned home to the King Power for a tough Championship clash against Ipswich Town on 13 December 2025. Leicester once again started the first half in excellent fashion, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid netting for his third game straight, this time in the 8th minute, to give Leicester a 1–0 lead. Then, just before half-time, Abdul Fatawu recovered the ball, nutmegged and drove past two Ipswich players, and lobbed Ipswich keeper Christian Walton (who was off his line) from his own half (65 metres out), and scored a goal of the season contender to put Leicester 2–0 up at half-time. Then, shortly after the second half commenced, Abdul Fatawu drove past Ipswich defender Leif Davis and sent in a cross, which was met by Jordan Ayew, who tapped home to make it 3–0 to the Foxes after 52 minutes. Ipswich got a goal back through a calamitous Jakub Stolarczyk pass to Oliver Skipp, which was intercepted and put in the back of the Leicester net by Jens Cajuste, in the Leicester box, and the scoreline was 3–1 to the Foxes after 72 minutes. This was just a consolation goal for Ipswich however, as Leicester maintained their brilliant start to the month with another three points and subsequently moved up to 8th in the Championship table.^[56][57]

Players and squad numbers last updated on 13 September 2025. Appearances include all competitions.^[58]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

On 9 June, Leicester City confirmed a home friendly against Serie A side Fiorentina in what would be the final pre-season fixture.^[94] Four days later, two matches at the club's training factility was confirmed against Peterborough United and Oud-Heverlee Leuven.^[95] A pre-season training camp in Austria along with three more friendlies against Zalaegerszeg, Karpaty Lviv and 1. FC Köln.^[96]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

Key: Leicester goals shown first. (i.e. if score reads 1–0, Leicester scored 1, no matter away or home games.)

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

The fixtures for this season were released on Thursday 26 June 2025 at 12pm BST.^[98]

The first round draw was complete on 26 June 2025, and Leicester were drawn away to Huddersfield Town. Leicester drew 2–2 in normal time, and lost 3–2 in the penalty shootout. ^{[103][104][105]}

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

The third round draw was complete on 8 December 2025, and Leicester were drawn away to Cheltenham Town.^{[106][107][108]}

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

As of match played 13 December 2025

Players with no appearances are not included on the list

As of match played 13 December 2025

As of match played 13 December 2025

As of match played 13 December 2025

As of match played 13 December 2025