‘It’s My Club’ – Fofana’s Leicester City Affection
The young Frenchman, a supremely talented centre-back who joined City from Saint-Étienne in 2020, lifted the Emirates FA Cup at the conclusion of his maiden campaign in England, also scooping the Club’s Young Player of the Season prize – a marker of the Blue Army’s appreciation for him.
A fairytale start to life in Leicester hit a considerable bump in the road last summer, though, when Fofana sustained a fractured fibula injury against Villarreal in pre-season. Now on the cusp of a return to senior action, the 21-year-old is delighted to reaffirm his commitment to the Club.
“I’m really happy to sign a new contract,” the France Under-21s international told LCFC TV. “It shows the Club have confidence in me, offering me a contract to 2027. I’m really happy to be here. It’s my club, I love the fans, so I’m really happy and really looking forward to being back playing.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far. I obviously picked up an injury (at the start of the season), which has been difficult, but the Club have helped me a lot.
“I love the Club, I love the city, all of the fans have been great with me, so I’m really happy to be here and I’d love stay as long as possible, to help the Club to achieve great things, and hopefully more silverware.”
Seven months on from the outset of his rehabilitation journey, Fofana is nearing a return – news which will excite every member of the Foxes faithful and the wider football community.
His performances during 2020/21 quickly made pundits and supporters alike take notice, with City’s No.3 showcasing remarkable poise and quality for a player only just breaking into his early 20s.
It’s been tough for Fofana to watch on from the sidelines for such a lengthy period of time, but the support provided by his team-mates, the Club’s staff and supporters has left an impression on him.
“It has been really difficult for me, especially not being able to play football, as it’s what I love,” the Marseille-born defender added. “It’s been hard not being able to help my team-mates when things have been tough on the pitch, but also during times of celebration.
“When we played in the Community Shield (beating Manchester City at Wembley to secure the Club’s second success), that was hard to watch as I really wanted to be a part of it, but I’ve had to be patient, I’ve worked hard to come back as quickly as possible. I’m almost there, so I’m really happy.
“I’ve received amazing support from the Club and the fans. Everyone has given me strength and helped keep me going. It was a really difficult period for me, so everyone’s support has helped to pick me back up. That’s why I’m happy to be at the Club and why I wanted to sign a new deal.
“I love everything about the Club. I love the city, I love the fans. It’s a family which is what I love the most. Everyone is close and gets on well. We also have a great team and are continuing to progress, with a desire to win more trophies. That’s why I have committed my future to the Club until 2027.
“I want to achieve more with the Club. There is a lot of talent here and still a lot more we can do together.”
Fofana’s passionate words about Leicester City and the degree of his appreciation for the Club as a whole will be music to the ears of everyone who follows the Foxes. After securing major silverware with City during his first year in England, the former Saint-Étienne centre-back now wants more.
“It was incredible to win the FA Cup,” he explained. “It was an extraordinary moment for the players and the entire city. It proves that if we can win the FA Cup, we can win more trophies. The Club did it in 2015/16 when they won the Premier League, so I believe we can do it again.
“I’m so excited to be back playing. I feel I’m really close now. I can’t wait to be back out there in front of the fans. I’ve been working so hard to get to this point, so I’m just really excited.
“The fans are incredible. They have been amazing with me, helping to get me through my injury. I received so many supportive messages from them during my recovery, which helped a lot. The sooner I can be back out on the pitch playing in front of them, the better.”