Premier League Kicks Participant Earns Leicester City Academy Chance

- Strong links between Leicester City in the Community and the Club's Academy allows the Foxes to find local talent
- Leicester City in the Community works with hundreds of young people across the region
- A young person, who participated at a Cruyff Court Premier League Kicks session, was put forward for a trial
- Sudais now represents the Club at Under-13s level

Premier League Kicks is a community programme that enables Leicester City in the Community to work with hundreds of children in both the city and county.

Sudais, who participated in our Cruyff Court St Matthews session, thought back to the first time he came along to a community session. 

“One summer camp, I came along to Cruyff Court and saw lots of Leicester City banners, so I came to see what was going on,” he said. 

“I signed in and jumped on the pitch... since then I have been playing here, it has been very fun. 

“I used to be naughty when I was younger, I used to sneak out of my house and play football at Cruyff Court, that is how much I love football!"

Senior recruitment coaches for City’s Academy watched Sudais, after being tipped by a Premier League Kicks coach, and brought him into Belvoir Drive for a trial. 

After impressing, Sudais was offered a chance to play within the youth ranks and Pre-Academy Coordinator, Mark Lyons, explained why links with Leicester City in the Community are important to the Academy. 

“Our main job is to make sure the recruitment of the players across the city is first and foremost to the Club and one of those big links is working with Leicester City in the Community,” he said.

“They work with a number of kids in the inner cities, as well as schools and within their Skills Centres, to allow us to pick up the best talent in Leicester.

“Kicks coach Sukh identified Sudais, we went to have a look and brought him in to our shadow squad.”

The Under-13s winger added: “I love the way St Matthews Big Local have made this pitch.

“I want to make my family proud because my dad takes a lot out of his job to take me to training. 

“The Leicester City in the Community coaches have helped me a lot, and I am thankful for that.”

To find out more on our Premier League Kicks programme and the session closest to you, email Ali Adnan, Kicks Coordinator, on: ali.adnan@lcfc.co.uk.