Brunt: The Hard Work Continues
The versatile youngster's development at Leicester City will continue in the near future, too, after he signed a new contract this week to remain as a Fox for at least another three years.
The 21-year-old, who joined in the summer of 2021, expressed his delight at agreeing fresh terms while speaking to LCFC TV, but also portrayed a focus to further enhance his progression as a young player in the current campaign.
He commented: “It’s an unbelievable feeling to be noticed by the Club for my achievements and to be offered a new contract here, it feels great. I’m really happy. The first day I walked through the door here, it felt like home, I felt comfortable.
“That’s a credit to all the staff and the lads welcoming me in at the start of last season. I really feel like this is a club where I can kick on and really make it a special time here.
“There’s loads more work to do, but I’ve always believed in myself, always believed in my ability and so coming in and working hard every single day, doing the right things, just shows that anything’s possible.”
Taking stock of his accomplishments at Leicester, which include first-team debuts in two competitions, as well as receiving a prize at the Club’s End of Season Awards evening, Brunt gave a glowing account of his maiden season as a Foxes player. His 20 appearances in Premier League 2 Division 1, meanwhile, brought three goals, despite playing as a centre-back.
“It’s the best year I’ve had in football as of yet,” the Under-23s captain continued. “To come in this time last year as a trialist and then go on and make my full debut at King Power Stadium in the FA Cup, my Premier League debut, be named Development Squad Player of the Year and captain the Under-23s...
"If you’d have told me all that this time last year, I think I wouldn’t have believed you, but it’s been amazing and hopefully I can hit more goals and more targets in the upcoming seasons.”
The midfielder’s off-season looked rather different to the rest of the squad in Seagrave, as he recovered from injury, though the facilities available at LCFC Training Ground made it an easier process, as did the return of the rest of the squad for pre-season.
Starting the opening Premier League 2 Division 1 fixture of the campaign, playing 45 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur, Brunt then got over an hour in the tank on matchday two at Manchester City.
The ex-Aston Villa youngster added: “I picked up quite a significant injury at the end of last season, at the back end of it. I’ve been working really hard over the off-season, coming in every day over the summer to try and get myself back up to speed and back fit. It's great to now be back in games.
“It’s a blessing in disguise really as I didn't really miss anything over the four or five weeks that the lads were off. I’ve enjoyed being back amongst the lads. Having them all in the changing room, it’s better than driving in and being here by yourself or coming in and being sat in the physio room on your own.
"It’s bit of a morale boost being around the lads, it’s good, and the facilities here are incredible, the best I’ve ever seen, they are second to none. We’ve got everything a player needs to kick on and have a successful career.”