Two Title Winners Bid Farewell To Foxes At Chelsea
- Danny Simpson and Shinji Okazaki to leave Leicester City at the end of the season
- City supporters invited to say their farewells on 12 May against Chelsea
- Both Simpson and Okazaki played key roles in the 2015/16 title win
- The pair played over 260 times for the Foxes between them
The pair will leave Leicester City at the end of their current contracts but depart having left indelible marks in the memories of all Foxes fans thanks to their contribution to the greatest era in Leicester City’s long history.
Simpson and Okazaki will now continue their playing careers elsewhere, but will be forever revered at Leicester City after helping the Club achieve the impossible – playing a combined 66 times in the 2015/16 Premier League title victory.
Simpson joined City in the summer of 2014 from Queens Park Rangers and has represented the Club across five memorable seasons – a period that began with a miraculous escape from relegation at the end of the 2014/15 season.
Shinji Okazaki: The Japanese Fox
Shinji Okazaki has played a vital role in Leicester City's recent success.
Okazaki joined Simpson in the Foxes squad the following season from FSV Mainz, and each went on to play a key role in the subsequent title victory. Simpson was a rock in defence alongside Wes Morgan, Robert Huth and Christian Fuchs, while providing the perfect foil for the marauding Riyad Mahrez on the right side.
Up front, Okazaki’s tireless running and dynamism helped link defence and attack for City, who relied heavily on the Japanese international in perhaps one of the most important and underrated roles carried out in that famous title-winning side.
The pair continued their Leicester City journey as part of the team that entered uncharted territory for the Club in its first-ever UEFA Champions League campaign in 2016/17. During that run, the Foxes faced Club Brugge, FC Porto, FC Copenhagen, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid in reaching the quarter-finals.
Danny Simpson: Leicester City's Reliable Right-Back
The Salford-born defender leaves Leicester City with a Premier League winner's medal.
Simpson and Okazaki both started in City’s famous 2-0 last-16 second leg victory over Sevilla at King Power Stadium – undoubtedly one of the greatest nights in Leicester City history.
In total, Simpson has made 131 appearances for the Foxes while Okazaki has appeared 135 times, scoring 19 crucial goals. Both will leave a brilliant legacy at the Football Club, thanks not only to their achievements on the pitch, but through their connections with the fans and for their contributions to Leicester City’s work in the community across many important projects.
Danny and Shinji have been a vital part of the Club’s success and Leicester City would like to wish them every success in the next step of their journeys. They will be forever welcomed back at King Power Stadium as either opposition players or as friends of the Club.